NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Drugs Used in Diabetes
Goals of diabetes treatment
lower serum glucose to physiologic range
keep insulin levels in physiologic range
eliminate insulin resistance
best initial step in management: weight loss, contractile-based exercise weight loss is more important for insulin sensitivity than is a low-carb diet
Modalities of diabetes treatment
Type I DM
insulin
low-sugar diet
Type II DM
exercise
diet
insulin
6 classes of drugs
Insulin
Sulfonylureas - Glyburide
Meglitinides - Nateglinide
Biguanides Metformin
Glitazones (thiazolidinediones) Pioglitazone
α-glucosidase inhibitors Acarbose
GLP-1 mimetics (incretin mimetics) Exenatide
Amylin analog Pramlintide
Operator position
For the right-handed operator, the 8 and 10 o’clock position and for left-handed operators, the corresponding 2 and 4 o’clock position almost always allows for optimal visualization of the injection field.
Heparin:
- Inhibits blood coagulation by forming complexes with an α2-globulin (Antithrombin III) and each of the activated proteases of the coagulation cascade (Kallikrein, XIIa, XIa, IXa, Xa, and Thrombin). After formation of the heparin-ATIII-coagulation factor, heparin is released and becomes available again to bind to free ATIII.
- Blocks conversion of Prothrombin to Thrombin and thus inhibits the synthesis of Fibrin from Fibrinogen.
- Inhibits platelet function and increases vascular permeability. May induce moderate to severe thrombocytopenia.
- Is prescribed on a “unit” basis.
- Heparin is not effective after oral administration and is generally administered by intravenous or subcutaneous injection. Intramuscular injections should be avoided.
- Heparin does not cross the placenta and does not pass into the maternal milk.
- is contraindicated in any situation where active bleeding must be avoided.
Ulcerative lesions, intracranial hemorrhage, etc.
Overdosage:
• Simple withdrawal.
• Protamine sulfate: Highly basic peptide that binds heparin and thus neutralizes its effects.
DIURETICS
The basis for the use of diuretics is to promote sodium depletion (and thereby water) which leads to a decrease in extracellular fluid volume.
An important aspect of diuretic therapy is to prevent the development of tolerance to other antihypertensive drugs.
TYPES OF DIURETICS
A. Thiazide Diuretics examples include chlorothiazide
hydrochlorothiazide
a concern with these drugs is the loss of potassium as well as sodium
B. Loop Diuretics (High Ceiling Diuretics) examples include
furosemide (Lasix)
bumetanide
these compounds produce a powerful diuresis and are capable of producing severe derangements of electrolyte balance
C. Potassium Sparing Diuretics examples include
triamterene
amiloride
spironolactone
unlike the other diuretics, these agents do not cause loss of potassium
Mechanism of Action
Initial effects: through reduction of plasma volume and cardiac output.
Long term effect: through decrease in total peripheral vascular resistance.
Advantages
Documented reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Least expensive antihypertensive drugs.
Best drug for treatment of systolic hypertension and for hypertension in theelderly.
Can be combined with all other antihypertensive drugs to produce synergetic effect.
Side Effects
Metabolic effects (uncommon with small doses): hypokalemia,hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia (increased total
and LDL cholesterol), impaired glucose tolerance, and hypercalcemia (with thiazides).
Postural hypotension.
Impotence in up to 22% of patients.
Considerations
- Moderate salt restriction is the key for effective antihypertensive effect of diuretics and for protection from diuretic - induced hypokalaemia.
- Thiazides are not effective in patients with renal failure (serum creatinine > 2mg /dl) because of reduced glomerular filtration rate.
- Frusemide needs frequent doses ( 2-3 /day ).Thiazides can be given once daily or every other day.
- Potassium supplements should not be routinely combined with thiazide or loop diuretics. They are indicated with hypokalemia (serum potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) especially with concomitant digitalis therapy or left ventricular hypertrophy.
- Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs can antagonize diuretics effectiveness.
Special Indications
Diuretics should be the primary choice in all hypertensives.
They are indicated in:
- Volume dependent forms of hypertension: blacks, elderly, diabetic, renal and obese hypertensives.
- Hypertension complicated with heart failure.
- Resistant hypertension: loop diuretics in large doses are recommended.
- Renal impairment: loop diuretics
Nimesulide
analgesic and antipyretic properties
Nimesulide is a relatively COX-2 selective, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with analgesic and antipyretic properties. Its approved indications are the treatment of acute pain, the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis and primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescents and adults above 12 years old.
Banned - not used
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine, citalopram, and sertraline
- Most commonly used antidepressant category
- Less likely to cause anticholinergic side effects
- Relatively safest antidepressant group in overdose
- Selectively inhibits reuptake of serotonin(5-HT)
Mode of Action;
- Well absorbed when given orally
- Plasma half-lives of 18-24 h allowing once daily dosagedaily dosage
- Metabolised through CYP450 system and most SSRIs inhibit some CYP isoforms
- Therapeutic effect is delayed for 2-4 weeks
ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS
- Insomnia, increased anxiety, irritability
- Decreased libido
- Erectile dysfunction, anorgasmia, and ejaculatory delay
- Bleeding disorders
- Withdrawal syndrome
Codeine
Codeine is methyl morphine, with a methyl substitution on the phenolic hydroxyl group of morphine. It is more lipophilic than morphine and thus crosses the blood–brain barrier faster.
- classified as a simple, or mild analgesic, codeine is often used in low doses as an oral analgesic has a much better oral/parenteral absorption ratio than morphine.
- Effective for mild to moderate pain.
- Constipation occurs
- Dizziness may occur in ambulatory patients.
- More potent histamine-releasing action than does morphine.
- Should not be administered by IV injection.
- Extremely effective antitussive agent and is used therapeutically for suppressing cough.
- In contrast to morphine, codeine overdose can occasionally lead to the production of seizures.
- Seizures can be treated with barbiturates.
- Respiratory depression can be counteracted with Naloxone.
- orally, 30 mg of codeine is equi-analgesic to 600 mg of aspirin, however, the effects of the two are additive, and occasionally synergistic