Week 6 Antiemetics/Prokinetics/Antihistamines/serotonins Flashcards
Without prophylaxis, nausea occurs in up to ________ of patients who undergo general anesthesia, but can be as high as ________ in high risk patients
- 40%
- 80%
Stoelting’s, pg. 692
PONV can be further classified as early or late - what time frames align with each classification?
- Early: within 6 hours of emergence
- Late: 6-24 hours after
Stoelting’s, pg. 692
PONV can be associated with increased morbidity due to:
- dehydration
- electrolyte abnormalities
- wound dehiscence
- bleeding
- esophageal rupture
- airway compromise
Stoelting’s, pg. 692
__________ is the muscular contractions within the ileum and jejunum that moves luminal contents back towards the stomach
- antiperistalsis
Stoelting’s, pg. 692
The sequence of events that occur during emesis are controlled by the so-called vomiting “center”, which lies in the ______________
- medulla oblongata
Stoelting’s, pg. 692
Name several of the neurotransmitters that modulate the activity of the vomiting center
Stoelting’s, pg. 692 - Fig 34-1
Slightly cephalad to the vomiting center is the _____________, which detects noxious stimuli in the bloodstream
- Chemoreceptor trigger zone
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
What other anatomic sites (besides the CTZ) can activate the vomiting center?
- vestibular apparatus
- thalamus
- cerebral cortex
- neurons within the GI tract itself
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
Upon activation, the vomiting center sends efferent signals via which cranial nerve(s)?
- 5 - trigeminal
- 7 - facial
- 9 - glossopharyngeal
- 10 - vagus
- 12 - hypoglossal
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
What patient factors are associated with an increased risk of PONV?
- female gender (effects of progesterone/estrogen on CTZ/vomiting center)
- nonsmoker
- history of motion sickness or PONV
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
Among adults, the risk for PONV is ___________ with aging
- reduced
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
What surgical factors are associated with increased risk for PONV?
Longer procedures
Type of procedure
- laparotomy & laparoscopic
- gynecologic
- ENT
- breast
- ortho
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
What anesthetic factors are associated with an increased risk for PONV?
The use of:
- nitrous oxide
- neostigmine
- opioids
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
_____________ is a transdermal anticholinergic that can be used for the prevention of PONV
- scopolamine
Stoelting’s, pg. 693
Due to it’s onset of action, scopolamine is most effective when administered _________ before noxious stimuli
- 4 hours
Stoelting’s, pg. 694
Nagelhout, pg. 211
How long can a scopolamine patch remain in place?
- 24-72 hours
Stoelting’s, pg. 694
True or false:
Transdermal scopolamine provides sustained therapeutic plasma concentrations, usually WITHOUT producing the prohibitive side effects such as sedation, cycloplegia (mydriasis/visual disturbances), or drying of secretions
- True
Stoelting’s, pg. 694
Transdermal scopolamine exerts significant antiemetic effects in patients being treated with ____________ or ____________ for postoperative pain
- PCA
- epidural morphine
appears most effective for these indications
Stoelting’s, pg. 694
Nagelhout, pg. 211
Which two anticholinergics may decrease barrier pressure and increases the reflux of acidic fluid into the esophagus?
- atropine (0.6 mg IV)
- glycopyrrolate (0.2-0.3 mg IV)
Stoelting’s, pg. 695
__________ and __________ may enter the CNS and can produce symptoms of central anticholinergic syndrome
- scopolamine
- atropine
Stoelting’s, pg. 694
What are the symptoms of central anticholinergic syndrome?
Symptoms may range from:
- restlessness & hallucinations
to - somnolence & unconsciousness
Stoelting’s, pg. 694
Central anticholinergic syndrome is often mistaken for _____________ as ventilation may be depressed
- delayed recovery from anesthesia
Stoelting’s, pg. 694
______________ is a lipid-soluble anticholinesterase that can be administered as a treatment for central anticholergic syndrome or anticholinergic overdose
- Physostigmine (15-60 mcg/kg)
Stoelting’s, pg. 694-695
Symptoms of anticholinergic overdose may include:
- dry mouth
- difficulty swallowing or talking
- blurred vision/photophobia
- tachycardia
- dry/flushed skin
- increased body temperature (inhibition of sweating)
Stoelting’s, pg. 694-695
This benzamide is a weak antiemetic that also stimulates the GI tract via cholinergic mechanisms (increased gastric/small intenstine motility)
- Metoclopramide
Stoelting’s, pg. 695
In addition to it’s peripheral effect in the GI tract, metoclopramide readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and may act directly on the CTZ via its __________ effects - this makes it contraindicated in patients with ____________ disease
- anti-dopaminergic
- Parkinson’s (or any disease related to dopamine inhibition or depletion)
Stoelting’s, pg. 695
Akathisia is a feeling of unease or restlessness in the lower extremities that may occur following the IV administration of _____________
- Metoclopramide
may be so severe that it results in cancellation of the surgery
Stoelting’s, pg. 695
What is the mechanism by which metoclopramide exerts its prokinetic effect? Antiemetic?
- enhances cholinergic activity on GI smooth muscle
- antagonism of dopamine at the CTZ
Stoelting’s, pg. 711
Administration of metoclopramide __________ mg IV may be useful to speed gastric emptying before the induction of anesthesia
- 10-20 mg
How and when should Metoclopramide be given?
- Pre-op, About 15-30 min before
- 10-20mg over 3-5 min
More rapid IV administration of metoclopramide may produce _____________
- abdominal cramping
Stoelting’s, pg. 711
The activity of the benzodiazepines, such as midazolam, may decrease the synthesis and release of _____________ within the CTZ as well as reducing the release of serotonin
- dopamine
midazolam may be administered near the end of surgery for patients at risk of PONV who have not already received one as part of the anesthetic plan
Stoelting’s, pg. 695
Nagelhout, pg. 211
The black box warning for droperidol is due to its association with _______________
- prolonged QT syndromes
Stoelting’s, pg. 695
The black box warning for droperidol was associated with doses much higher than necessary for the treatment of PONV - what dose is effective for the prevention and treatment of PONV?
- 0.625-1.25 mg IV near the end of surgery
Stoelting’s, pg. 696
Nagelhout, pg. 211
Because it’s mechanism of action is _____________, droperidol should be used with caution, if at all, in patients with ______________
- anti-dopaminergic
- Parkinson’s (or any disease related to dopamine inhibition or depletion)
Stoelting’s, pg. 696
This corticosteroid has efficacy similar to ondansetron and droperidol
- Dexamethasone
Stoelting’s, pg. 696
True or false:
Dexamethasone has a minimal side effect profile with one-time use and decreases the risk for perioperative hyperglycemia for obese and diabetic patients
- False - it does have a minimal side effect profile, but INCREASES the risk for hyperglycemia in these patients
avg increase of 40 mg/dL 6-12 hrs postop, no effects on wound healing
Stoelting’s, pg. 696
Nagelhout, pg. 209
A ________ mg dose of dexamethasone is popular for the prevention of PONV - It is best given prior to or after the induction of general anesthesia (as opposed to at the end of surgery) because it’s onset of action is __________
- 4-8 mg
- 1 hour
Nagelhout, pg. 209
What is the mechanism of action for drugs like ondansetron and granisteron?
- 5-HT3 receptor antagonism
- serotonin acts on 5-HT3 receptors on enteric neurons in the GI tract and brain to stimulate vagal afferents and the vomiting reflex
Stoelting’s, pg. 696
True or false:
The serotonin receptor antagonists are not effective at treating motion-induced or vestibular PONV and they do not cause the same CNS effects as droperidol and metoclopramide
- True - no 5-HT3 receptors in the vestibular apparatus; no action on dopamine, histamine, or cholinergic receptors
Stoelting’s, pg. 696
What is the typical dosing strategy for ondansetron in the prevention/treatment of PONV
- 4-8 mg IV over 2-5 minutes before induction or prior to the end of surgery
- also listed as effective when administered orally
consider it’s duration of action (4-6 hrs) when timing dose
Stoelting’s, pg. 697
What side effects are associated with the use of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists?
- headache
- diarrhea
- QTc prolongation
- serotonin syndrome
Stoelting’s, pg. 696-697
Granisetron is _________ selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist than ondansetron, with a ___________ duration of action
- more
- longer
may be efective for 24 hours
Stoelting’s, pg. 697
Non-specific antihistamines such as __________, likely act on H__ receptors
- diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, promethazine
- 1
Stoelting’s, pg. 697
What is the mechanism of action of antihistamines in the prevention of nausea and vomiting
Prevents GI smooth muscle contraction
Prevents secretion of acid in the stomach
Prevents release of neurotransmitters in the CNS
Stoelting’s, pg. 697, 700
Dimenhydrinate is a ____________ used for PONV in adults - standard dose is __________
- Non-specific antihistamine
- 20 mg IV
Stoelting’s, pg. 697
Which generation of H1 antagonists is more likely to cause CNS side effects such as somnolence?
- 1st generation (diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate)
Stoelting’s, pg. 701
True or false:
1st generation histamine type 1 receptor antagonsits have a cross-reactivity with muscarinic receptors and thus exert anticholinergic effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision and urinary retention
- True
Stoelting’s, pg. 703
What cardiovascular side effect is common with 1st generation antihistamines?
- tachycardia
Stoelting’s, pg. 703
In children, a _________ dose of IV dimenhydrinate significantly reduces vomiting after strabismus surgery
- 0.5 mg/kg
Stoelting’s, pg. 697
True or false:
Antihistamines exert their effects by preventing the release of histamine
- False - they are histamine receptor antagonists
Stoelting’s, pg. 701
Factors associated with pulmonary complications of aspiration include the ___________ and __________ of the aspirated gastric contents
- volume
- acidity
Stoelting’s, pg. 699
Antacids act by either ____________ hydrogen ions or ____________ of hydrogen chloride into the stomach
- neutralizing
- decrease the secretion
Stoelting’s, pg. 699
___________ antacids are less likely to cause foreign body reactions if aspirated
- Nonparticulate
Stoelting’s, pg. 700
_________ mL of sodium citrate can be given ________ minutes before induction to decrease gastric fluid pH
- 15-30
- 15-30
Stoelting’s, pg. 700
What are the possible complications of antacid therapy?
- bacterial overgrowth of duodenum
- UTI
- acid rebound
Stoelting’s, pg. 700
Dr. C’s powerpoint
List 2 drugs that are histamine type 2 receptor antagonists
- Cimetidine
- Famotidine
Stoelting’s, pg. 703
Describe the mechanism of action of cimetidine/famotidine
- They are both H2 receptor antagonists
- Blockade of H2 receptors reduces the secretion of H+ ions in the stomach by parietal cells
there is also some reduction of gastric fluid volume
Stoelting’s, pg. 703-704
Increasing age must be considered when determining the dose of H2-receptor antagonists - cimetidine clearance may decrease by ___________% in patients between the ages of 20 and 70 years
- 75%
bolded on Dr. C’s slides
Stoelting’s, pg. 705
True or false:
The ASA has recommended that all patients routinely receive H2RA to decrease the risks associated with pulmonary aspiration
- False - routine use in patients who have no apparent increased risk for pulmonary aspiration is not recommended
Stoelting’s, pg. 705
What are the most common adverse side effects associated with H2RAs?
- diarrhea
- headache
- fatigue
- skeletal muscle pain
see also table 35-3
Stoelting’s, pg. 706
____________ are the most effective drugs available for controlling gastric acidity and volume
- proton pump inhibitors
bolded on Dr. C’s slides
Stoelting’s, pg. 709
How long before surgery should omeprazole be administered to ensure adequate chemoprophylaxis/increase in gastric pH?
- > 3 hours
onset of antisecretory effect ~2-6 hours
Stoelting’s, pg. 710
Name several side effects related to the PPIs
- headache
- abdominal pain
- agitation/confusion
Stoelting’s, pg. 710
What class of medication is aprepitant (Emend)? Describe its mechanism of action
- substance P/Neurokinin 1 (NK-1) receptor antagonist
- NK-1 receptors, located in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST), are involved in central regulation of GI tract
- GI vagal afferents and other input converge in the NST to initiate emesis
NST located within the medulla
Nagelhout, pg. 211
What kind of patient will you not give Metoclopramide?
- Suspected or known mechanical bowel obstruction
- After GI surgery or intestinal anastomosis