NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Laxatives and cathartics (purgatives)
Constipation is a common problem in older adults and laxatives are often used or overused. Non drug measures to prevent constipation (e.g. increasing intake of fluid and high–fiber foods, exercise) are much preferred to laxatives.
Laxatives and cathartics are drugs used orally to evacuate the bowels or to promote bowel elimination (defecation). Both terms are used interchangeably because it is the dose that determines the effects rather than a particular drug. For example, Castor oil laxative effect = 4ml while Cathartic effect = 15-60ml
The term laxative implies mild effects, and eliminative of soft formed stool. The term cathartic implies strong effects and elimination of liquid or semi liquid stool.
Laxatives are randomly classified depending on mode of action as:
1. Bulk-forming laxatives: are substances that are largely unabsorbed from the intestine.
They include psyllium, bran, methylcellulose, etc. When water is added, the substances swell and become gel-like which increases the bulk of the faecal mass that stimulates peristalsis and defecation.
2. Osmotic laxatives such as magnesium sulphate, magnesium hydroxide, sodium phosphate, etc. These substances are not efficiently absorbed and cause water retention in the colon. The latter causes increase in volume and pressure which stimulates peristalsis and defecation.
Lactulose is a semisynthetic disaccharide sugar that also acts as an osmotic laxative.
Electrolyte solutions containing polyethylene glycol(PEG) are used as colonic lavage solutions to prepare the gut for radiologic or endoscopic procedures
3. Stimulant (irritant) laxatives: these are irritant that stimulate elimination of large bowel contents. Individual drugs are castor oil, bisacodyl, phenolphthalein, cascara sagrada, glycerine, etc. The faeces are moved too rapidly and watery stool is eliminated. Glycerine can be administered rectally as suppositories.
4. Faecal softeners: they decrease the surface tension of the faecal mass to allow water to penetrate into the stool. They have detergent– like property e.g. docusate(docusate sodium, docusate calcium, and docusate spotassium. )
5. Lubricant laxatives e.g. liquid paraffin (mineral oil). It lubricates the intestine and is thought to soften stool by preventing colonic absorption of faecal water. They are used as retention enema.
6. Chloride channel activators
Lubiprostone works by activating chloride channels to increase fluid secretion in the intestinal lumen. This eases the passage of stools and causes little change in electrolyte balances. Nausea is a relatively common side effect with lubiprostone.
Clinical indications of laxatives
1. To relieve constipation.
2. To prevent straining.
3. To empty the bowel in preparation for bowel surgery or diagnostic procedures.
4. To accelerate elimination of potentially toxic substances from the GI tract.
5. To accelerate excretion of parasite after anti-helmintic drugs have been administered.
Kinins
Peptide that are mediated in the inflammation.
Action of kinin:
On CVS: vasodilatation in the kidneys, heart, intestine, skin, and liver. It is 10 times active than histamine as vasodilator.
On exocrine and endocrine glands: kinin modulate the tone of pancreas and salivery glands and help regulate GIT motility, also affect the transport of water and electrolytes, glucose and amino acids through epithelial cell transport.
Routes of Drug Administration
Intravenous
- No barriers to absorption since drug is put directly into the blood.
- There is a very rapid onset for drugs administered intravenously. This can be advantagous in emergency situations, but can also be very dangerous.
- This route offers a great deal of control in respect to drug levels in the blood.
- Irritant drugs can be administer by the IV route without risking tissue injury.
- IV drug administration is expensive, inconvenient and more difficult than administration by other routes.
- Other disadvantages include the risk of fluid overload, infection, and embolism. Some drug formulations are completely unsafe for use intravenously.
Intramuscular:
- Only the capillary wall separates the drug from the blood, so there is not a significant barrier to the drug's absorption.
- The rate of absorption varies with the drug's solubility and the blood flow at the site of injection.
- The IM route is uncomfortable and inconvenient for the patient, and if administered improperly, can lead to tissue or nerve damage.
Subcutaneous
Same characteristics as the IM route.
Oral
- Two barriers to cross: epithelial cells and capillary wall. To cross the epithelium, drugs have to pass through the cells.
- Highly variable drug absorption influenced by many factors: pH, drug solubility and stability, food intake, other drugs, etc.
- Easy, convenient, and inexpensive. Safer than parenteral injection, so that oral administration is generally the preferred route.
- Some drugs would be inactivated by this route
- Inappropriate route for some patients.
- May have some GI discomfort, nausea and vomiting.
- Types of oral meds = tablets, enteric-coated, sustained-release, etc.
- Topical, Inhalational agents, Suppositories
Antihypertensives Drugs
CATEGORIES
I. Diuretics to reduce blood volume
Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
II. Drugs that interfere with the Renin-Angiotensin System
A. Converting enzyme inhibitors Captopril , enalapril, Lisinopril
B. Angiotensin receptor antagonists Saralasin Losartan
III. Decrease peripheral vascular resistance and/or cardiac output
A. Directly acting vasodilators
1. calcium channel blockers Nifedipine , Diltiazem, amlodipine
2. potassium channel activators Minoxidil
3. elevation of cGMP Nitroprusside
4. others Hydralazin e
B. Sympathetic nervous system depressants
1. α-blockers Prazosin, phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine
2. β-blockers Propranolol ,Metoprolol, atenolol
3. norepinephrine synthesis inhibitors Metyrosine
4. norepinephrine storage inhibitors Reserpine
5. transmitter release inhibitors Guanethidine
6. centrally acting: decrease
sympathetic outflow Clonidine , methyldopa
NSAIDs: Classification by Plasma Elimination Half Lives
Short Half Life (< 6 hours):
more rapid effect and clearance
• Aspirin (0.25-0.33 hrs),
• Diclofenac (1.1 ± 0.2 hrs)
• Ketoprofen (1.8± 0.4 hrs),
• Ibuprofen (2.1 ± 0.3 hrs)
• Indomethacin (4.6 ± 0.7 hrs)
Long Half Life (> 10 hours):
slower onset of effect and slower clearance
• Naproxen (14 ± 2 hrs)
• Sulindac (14 ± 8 hrs),
• Piroxicam (57 ± 22 hrs)
Classification
1. Natural Alkaloids of Opium
Phenanthrenes -> morphine, codeine, thebaine
Benzylisoquinolines -> papaverine, noscapine
2. Semi-synthetic Derivatives
diacetylmorphine (heroin) hydromorphone, oxymorphone hydrocodone, oxycodone
3. Synthetic Derivatives
phenylpiperidines pethidine, fentanyl, alfentanyl, sufentnyl
benzmorphans pentazocine, phenazocine, cyclazocine
propionanilides methadone
morphinans levorphanol
Barbiturates (BARBS):
were used for antianxiety, sedation but now replaced by BZs; for IV sedation & oral surgery
Advantages: effective and relatively inexpensive (common in third world countries), extensively studied so have lots of information about side effects/toxicity
Peripheral effects: respiratory depression (with ↑ dose), CV effects (↓ BP and HR at sedative-hypnotic doses), liver effects (bind CYP450 → induction of drug metabolism and other enzymes → ↑ metabolism of steroids, vitamins K/D, cholesterol, and bile salts)
General mechanisms: potently depress neuron activity in the reticular formation (pons, medulla) and cortex
o Bind barbiturate site on GABAA receptor → enhanced inhibitory effect and ↑ Cl influx; → ↓ frequency of Cl channel opening but ↑ open time of Cl channels (in presense of GABA) so more Cl enters channel (at high [ ] they directly ↑ Cl conductance in absence of GABA- act as GABA mimetics)
Metabolism: liver microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes; most are dealkylated, conjugated by glucoronidation; renal excretion
Uses: anticonvulsant, preoperative sedation, anesthesia
Side effects: sedation, confusion, weight gain, N/V, skin rash
Contraindications: pain (can ↑ sensitivity to painful situations → restlessness, excitement, and delirium) and pulmonary insufficiency (since BARBS → respiratory depression)
Drug interactions: have additive depressant affects when taken with other CNS depressants, enhance depressive effects (of antipsychotics, antihistamines, antiHTNs, ethanol, and TCAs), and accelerates metabolism (of β blockers, Ca-channel blockers, corticosteroids, estrogens, phenothiazines, valproic acid, and theophylline; occurs with chronic BARB ingestion)
Acute toxicity: lower therapeutic index; can be fatal if OD; BARB poisoning a major problem (serious toxicity at only 10x hypnotic dose; → respiratory depression, circulatory collapse, renal failure, pulmonary complications which can be life-threatening)
Symptoms: severe respiratory depression, coma, severe hypotension, hypothermia
Treatment: support respiration and BP, gastric lavage (if recent ingestion)
Tolerance: metabolic (induce hepatic metabolic enzymes, occurs within a few days), pharmacodynamic (↓ CNS response with chronic exposure occurs over several weeks; unknown mechanism), and cross tolerance (tolerance to other general CNS depressants)
Physical dependence: develops with continued use; manifest by withdrawal symptoms (mild = anxiety, insomnia, dizziness, nausea; severe = vomiting, hyperthermia, tremors, delirium, convulsions, death)
Other similar agents: meprobamate (Equanil; pharmacological properties like BZs and barbiturates but mechanism unknown) and chloral hydrate (common sedative in pediatric dentistry for diagnostic imaging; few adverse effects but low therapeutic index)
Other drugs for antianxiety: β-adrenoceptor blockers (e.g., propranolol; block autonomic effects- palpitations, sweating, shaking; used for disabling situational anxiety like stage fright), buspirone (partial agonist at serotonin 1A receptor, produces only anxiolytic effects so no CNS depression, dependence, or additive depression with ethanol but onset of action is 1-3 weeks), lodipem (not a BZ but does act at BZ receptors)