Week 9 Opioid Analgesic Drugs Flashcards
a-delta fibers (nociceptors) mediate what kind of pain?
somatic
small, myelinated, sharp & localized pain
c-fibers mediate what kind of pain?
visceral
small than a-delta; unmyelinated, dull/diffuse/aching/burning pain
afferent fibres release which NTs to stimulate the ascending spinothalamic pathway?
substance P
glutamate
descending pain-inhibitory tracts release what substances to decrease pain perception?
serotonin
norepinephrine
enkephalin
define analgesia / analgesics
absence of pain without losing consciousness
state in which no pain is felt despite presence of normally painful stimuli
analgesics alleviate pain without major impairment of other sensory modalities
- opioid analgesics
- non-opioid analgesics
- disease-specific analgesics
what 3 major areas in the CNS mediate the analgesia system?
- periaquaductal grey matter (in midbrain)
- nucleus raphe magnus (in medulla)
- pain inhibitory neutrons within dorsal horns of spinal cord (act to inhibit pain-transmitting neurons also located in spinal dorsal horn)
these areas are where chemical mechanisms of opioid analgesics will take place
opioids used to be called?
narcotics
what are the 2 subgroups of opioid analgesics? & which is most commonly used?
Mu agonist (morphine-like) - m/c agonist-antagonist
give 3 examples of Mu agonist opioids
morphine oxycodone (percocet/oxycontin) codeine (tylenol 3) hydrocodone (vicodin) hydromorphone meperidine (demerol)
describe ‘opioid’
natural or synthetic drug that binds to opioid receptors producing agonist effects
where are the 2 places natural opioids come from?
papaver somniferum (opium poppy) as endogenous endorphins
all others prepared from either:
- morphine (e.g. heroin)
- synthesized from precursor compounds (e.g. fentanyl)
3 major families of opioid peptides
enkephalins (delta)
endorphins (mu)
dynorphins (kappa)
where are opioid receptors primarily found?
CNS (limbic system [euphoria]; thalamus & substantia gelatinosa [dull pain relief]; brain stem [pupil constriction, resp depression]; Large intestine [constipation])
what happens during opioid receptor activation?
at PRE-SYNAPTIC receptors:
- decreased synthesis of cAMP, which decreases Ca2+ influx & thus inhibits release of excitatory NTs (glutamate, subP)
at POSTSYNAPTIC level:
- increased K+ conductance (hyper polarize cell) K+ moves out of cell – decreases probability of generation of action potential
therefore: decreased neuronal transmission (glutamate, Ach, NE, 5-HT, subP)
essentially turn off the neuron & thereby block relaying of pain signals from nociceptors
where is Mu-1 receptor & what is it responsible for?
located outside spinal cord
responsible for central interpretation of pain
where is Mu-2 receptor & what is it responsible for?
located throughout CNS
responsible for respiratory depression, spinal analgesia, physical dependence, euphoria
what is considered the deadly side effect of opioid analgesic drugs?
(cause of death in all overdose cases)
which receptor is responsible for this response?
respiratory depression
Mu-2 receptors
differentiate mu & kappa receptors
kappa receptors:
- assoc. directly w analgesia & sedation
- no undesired side effects as seen w mu receptors
- kappa receptors only affect nerves that relay pain produced by non-thermal stimuli
mu receptors:
- inhibit all pain signals
- undesired side effects such as respiratory depression, decreased GI motility, physical dependence
delta receptor is strongest binding site of which class of opioid peptides
enkephalins
what is the ORL-1 receptor
“orphan” receptor
most recently discovered
opioid peptide ligand for this receptor: nociceptin
ORL-1 associated w many different effects e.g. memory, CV function, renal function
may have effects on dopamine levels; assoc. w NT release during anxiety
principal uses of opioids?
- relief of most types of moderate-to-severe visceral or somatic pain
- symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhea
- cough suppression
- tx of opiate addiction & alcoholism
- anesthetic adjunct
- reversal of opioid overdose by opioid-receptor antagonists
which opioid drugs are strong, full agonists?
affinity for binding + efficacy
morphine, methadone, fentanyl
which opioid drugs are moderate, full agonists?
codeine, oxycodone
which opioid is a partial/mixed agonist-antagonist?
produces agonist effect at one receptor & antagonist effect at another
pentazocine
which opioid is an antagonist?
affinity for binding but no efficacy; blocks action of endogenous & exogenous ligands
naloxone, naltrexone
absorption of opioid drugs
- well absorbed via GIT ; often given parenterally
- IM injections no longer recommended
time (latency) to onset: oral intranasal IV pulmonary-inhalation
oral: 15-30 mins
intranasal: 2-3 minutes
IV: 15-30 seconds
pulmonary-inhalation: 6-12 seconds
which 2 opioids have active metabolites after phase I detox?
morphine
codeine
opioid elimination primarily via?
kidney
CIs for opioid use?
increased intracranial pressure decreased ventilation (COPD, cor pulmonale, emphysema, asthma) hx opiate addiction/allergy
precautions in dosing opioids needed in these 5 cases
elderly debilitated under 18 yrs of age renal/hepatic disease opioid naive (not been taking opioids regularly)
Opioids are unique amongst analgesics in that they are able to increase the pain tolerance by blunting the _________ response (even when no change in pain threshold to stimuli)
LIMBIC (emotional)
what kind of pain are opioids most effective in relieving?
dull, diffuse, continuous pain
Opiates suppress the “_____ center” which is also located in the brainstem, the medulla.
esp. which drug?
cough center
esp. codeine
how do opioids cause constipation?
- delays gastric emptying
- causes spasmodic increases in intestinal smooth muscle tone
- reduces intestinal secretions
- increases anal sphincter tone
most serious side effect of opioids?
respiratory depression
principal cause of death
9 adverse effects of opioids?
respiratory depression constipation nausea endocrine effects miosis (papillary constriction) euphoria itchiness (increased histamine release) tolerance physical dependence
what are adverse effects on endocrine system?
inhibits GRH (lowers LH, T) inhibits release of antidiuretic hormone
tolerance develops to which side effects of opioids?
respiratory effects
analgesic effects
euphoric effects
sedative effects
no tolerance to miosis /constipation effects