Oxytetracycline

Treats Oxytetracycline is a medicine used for treating a wide range of infections including infections of the lungs, urinary system, skin and eyes. It may also be used to treat sexually transmitted infections, infections caused by lice, rickettsial infections, cholera and plague. It is very occasionally used to treat leptospirosis, gas gangrene, and tetanus.

TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS

e.g. amitriptyline, imipramine, nortriptyline

Belong to first generation antidepressants

ACTION:

Inhibit 5-HT(5-hydroxytryptamine) and norepinephrine reuptake

slow clearance of norepinephrine & 5-HT from the synapse 

enhance norepinephrine & 5-HT neuro-transmission

MODE OF ACTIONMODE OF ACTION

TCAs also block
– muscarinic acetylcholine receptors
– histamine receptors 
– 5-HT receptors
– α1 adrenoceptors

Onset of antidepressant activity takes 2-3 weeks

PHARMACOKINETICS

-  Readily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract 
- Bind strongly to plasma albumin
- Has a large volume of distribution(as a result of binding to extravascular tissues)
- Undergo liver CYP metabolism into biologically active metabolites
- These metabolites are inactivated via glucuronidation and excreted in urine

ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS

Antimuscarinic - dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and urinary retention
Antihistamine – drowsiness
adrenoceptor blockage(+/- central effect) postural hypotension
Reduce seizure threshold
Testicular enlargement, gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea
AV-conduction blocks and cardiac arrhythmias

TOXICITY

- Fatal in toxicity

- Most important toxic effect is, slowing of depolarisation of the cardiac action potential by blocking fast sodium channels ("quinidine-like" effect) 

- delays propagation of depolarisation through both myocardium and conducting tissue

- prolongation of the QRS complex and the PR/QT intervals

- predisposition to cardiac arrhythmias

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Pharmacodynamic:
– ↑ sedation with antihistamines, alcohol
– ↑ antimuscarinic effects with anticholinergics– ↑ antimuscarinic effects with anticholinergics
– Hypertension and arrhythmias with MAOIs- should be given at least 14 days apart

Pharmacokinetic (via altering CYP metabolism)
– ↓ plasma concentration of TCA by- carbamazepine, rifampicin
– ↑ plasma concentration of TCA by- cimetidine, calcium channel blockers,fluoxetine

OTHER CLINICAL USES OF AMITRIPTYLINE

- Treatment of nocturnal enuresis in children
- Treatment of neuropathic pain
- Migraine prophylaxis

Morphine

Morphine is effective orally, but is much less effective than when given parenterally due to first-pass metabolism in the liver. Metabolism involves glucuronide formation, the product of which is excreted in the urine.

1. Central Nervous System Effects

• Morphine has mixed depressant and stimulatory actions on the CNS.

• Analgesia:

• Dysphoria – Euphoria

- morphine directly stimulates the chemoreceptor trigger zone, but later depresses the vomiting center in the brain stem. This center is outside the blood/brain barrier.

- opiates appear to relieve anxiety

• Morphine causes the release of histamine and abolishes hunger.

- causes the body to feel warm and the face and nose to itch.

• Pupils are constricted.- due to stimulation of the nuclei of the third cranial nerves.

- tolerance does not develop to this effect.

• Cough reflex is inhibited. - this is not a stereospecific effect.

- dextromethorphan will suppress cough but will not produce analgesia.

• Respiration is depressed

- due to a direct effect on the brain stem respiratory center.

- death from narcotic overdose is nearly always due to respiratory arrest.

- the mechanism of respiratory depression involves:

• a reduction in the responsiveness of the brain stem respiratory centers to an increase in pCO₂.

• depression of brain stem centers that regulate respiratory rhythm.

- hypoxic stimulation of respiration is less affected and O2 administration can produce apnea.

2. Cardiovascular Effects

• Postural orthostatic hypotension.- due primarily to peripheral vasodilation, which may be due in part to histamine release.

• Cerebral circulation is also indirectly influenced by increased pCO2, which leads to cerebral vasodilation and increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure.

• In congestive heart failure, morphine decreases the left ventricular workload and myocardial oxygen demand.

3. Endocrine Effects

• Increases prolactin secretion

• Increases vasopressin (ADH) secretion

• Decreases pituitary gonadotropin (LH & FSH) secretion.

• Decreases stress induced ACTH secretion.

4. Gastrointestinal Tract Effects

• Constipation (tolerance does not develop to this effect).

• Several of these agents can be used in the treatment of diarrhea.

There is an increase in smooth muscle tone and a decrease in propulsive  contractions.

Adverse Reactions

Generally direct extensions of their pharmacological actions.

1. respiratory depression, apnea

2. nausea and vomiting

3. dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, edema

4. mental clouding, drowsiness

5. constipation, ileus

6. biliary spasm (colic)

7. dry mouth

8. urine retention, urinary hesitancy

9. hypersensitivity reactions (contact dermatitis, urticaria)

Precautions

1. respiratory depression, particularly in the newborn

3. orthostatic hypotension

4. histamine release (asthma, shock)

5. drug interactions (other CNS depressants)

6. tolerance:

- analgesia, euphoria, nausea and vomiting, respiratory depression

7. physical dependence (psychological & physiological)

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.

Immunosuppressive antibodies can be classified mainly into monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, targeting specific components of the immune system.

1. Monoclonal Antibodies:

   • Basiliximab: Targets the IL-2 receptor on T cells, inhibiting T-cell activation. It is FDA approved for use in renal transplantation to prevent acute rejection.

   • Alemtuzumab: Targets CD52, a protein found on the surface of mature lymphocytes. It is used for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia and as an induction agent in kidney transplantation.

   • Rituximab: Targets CD20 on B cells, leading to B-cell depletion. It is used in various conditions, including non-Hodgkin lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis.

   • Daclizumab: Targets the IL-2 receptor (CD25) and is used in renal transplantation to prevent acute rejection.

   • Eculizumab: Targets complement component C5, inhibiting the complement cascade. It is used in conditions like paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome.

2. Polyclonal Antibodies:

   • Rabbit Antithymocyte Globulin (rATG): A polyclonal antibody that targets multiple T-cell surface markers, leading to T-cell depletion. It is used as an induction agent in kidney transplantation and for treating acute rejection.

   • Equine Antithymocyte Globulin (eATG): Similar to rATG, it targets T cells and is used in transplantation settings.

3. Mechanisms of Action:

   • Depletion of Immune Cells: Many antibodies work by depleting specific immune cell populations (e.g., T cells or B cells) to reduce the immune response against transplanted organs or in autoimmune diseases.

   • Blocking Activation Signals: Some antibodies block key receptors involved in T-cell activation, preventing the immune response from being initiated.

   • Inhibition of Complement Activation: Antibodies like eculizumab inhibit the complement system, which can contribute to tissue damage in antibody-mediated rejection.

4. Clinical Applications:

   • Organ Transplantation: Antibodies are commonly used to prevent rejection in kidney, liver, and heart transplants.

   • Autoimmune Diseases: They are also used in treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis.

5. Potential Side Effects:

   • Infections: Due to immune suppression, patients are at increased risk of infections.
   • Allergic Reactions: Some patients may experience allergic reactions to antibody therapies.
   • Infusion Reactions: These can occur during the administration of monoclonal antibodies, leading to symptoms like fever, chills, and hypotension.

Valdecoxib

used in the treatment of osteoarthritis, acute pain conditions, and dysmenorrhoea

Etoricoxib new  COX-2 selective inhibitor