Meperidine (Demerol)

Meperidine is a phenylpiperidine and has a number of congeners. It is mostly effective in the CNS and bowel

• Produces analgesia, sedation, euphoria and respiratory depression.
• Less potent than morphine, 80-100 mg meperidine equals 10 mg morphine.
• Shorter duration of action than morphine (2-4 hrs).
• Meperidine has greater excitatory activity than does morphine and toxicity may lead to convulsions.
• Meperidine appears to have some atropine-like activity.
• Does not constrict the pupils to the same extent as morphine.
• Does not cause as much constipation as morphine.
• Spasmogenic effect on GI and biliary tract smooth muscle is less pronounced than that produced by morphine.
• Not an effective antitussive agent.
• In contrast to morphine, meperidine increases the force of oxytocin-induced contractions of the uterus.
• Often the drug of choice during delivery due to its lack of inhibitory effect on uterine contractions and its relatively short duration of action.
• It has serotonergic activity when combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which can produce serotonin toxicity (clonus, hyperreflexia, hyperthermia, and agitation)

 Adverse reactions to Meperidine

• Generally resemble a combination of opiate and atropine-like effects.

- respiratory depression, - tremors, - delirium and possible convulsions, - dry mouth

• The presentation of mixed symptoms (stupor and convulsions) is quite common in addicts taking large doses of meperidine.

Classification Based on

a. Chemical structure

I. Sulphonamidcs.and others - c.g.. sulphadiazine. etc.

2. Beta-lactum ring - e.g.. penicillin

3. Tetracycline - e.g.. Oxytetracycline,.doxycycline.etc.

b. Mechanism of action

1. Inhibits cell-wall synthesis - penicillin. cephalosporin..cycloserine. etc.

2. Cause leakage from cell-membrane – polypeptides (polymyxin,  Bacitracin), polyenes (Nystatin)

3. Inhibit protein synthesis - tetracyclines. chloramphenicols. erythromycin.

4. Cause mis-reading of mRNA code - aminoglycosides

5. Interfere with DNA function - refampicin.. metronidazole

6. Interfere with intermediary metabolism - sulphonamides. ethambutole

c. Type of organism against which it is primarily activate

I. Antibacterial - penicillin.

2. Antifungal - nystatin.

d. Spectrum of activity

1. Broad spectrum - tetracylines .

2. Narrow spectrum - penicillin G (penG). streptomycin.erythromycin

e. Type of action

I. Bacteriostatic - sulphonamides, erythromycin.tertracyclines

2. Bacteriocidal - penicillin. aminoglycoside

f. Source

I. Fungi - penicillin. cephalosporins

2. Bacteria - Polymyxin B

RENIN-ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM INHIBITORS

The actions of Angiotensin II include an increase in blood pressure and a stimulation of the secretion of aldosterone (a hormone from the adrenal cortex) that promotes sodium retention. By preventing the formation of angiotensin II, blood pressure will be reduced. This is the strategy for development of inhibitors. Useful inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system are the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors 

First line treatment for: Hypertension , Congestive heart failure [CHF] 

ACE-Inhibitor’s MOA (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors)

Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System: 
. Renin & Angiotensin = vasoconstrictor 
. constricts blood vessels & increases BP 
. increases SVR or afterload 
. ACE Inhibitors blocks these effects decreasing SVR & afterload 
 
. Aldosterone = secreted from adrenal glands 
. cause sodium & water reabsorption 
. increase blood volume 
. increase preload 
. ACE I  blocks this and decreases preload 

Types 

Class I: captopril 
Class II (prodrug) : e.g., ramipril, enalapril, perindopril 
Class III ( water soluble) : lisinopril. 

Mechanism of Action 

Inhibition of circulating and tissue angiotensin- converting enzyme. 
Increased formation of bradykinin and vasodilatory prostaglandins. 
Decreased secretion of aldosterone; help sodium excretion. 

Advantages 

- Reduction of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease, diabetes, and heart failure. 
- Favorable metabolic profile. 
- Improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. 
- Renal glomerular protection effect especially in diabetes mellitus. 
- Do not adversely affect quality of life. 

Indications 
- Diabetes mellitus, particularly with nephropathy. 
- Congestive heart failure. 
- Following myocardial infraction. 

Side Effects  

- Cough (10 - 30%): a dry irritant cough with tickling sensation in the throat. 
- Skin rash (6%). 
- Postural hypotension in salt depleted or blood volume depleted patients. 
- Angioedema (0.2%) : life threatening. 
- Renal failure: rare, high risk with bilateral renal artery stenosis. 
- Hyperkalaemia 
- Teratogenicity. 

Considerations 
- Contraindications include bilateral renal artery stenosis, pregnancy, known allergy, and hyperkalaemia. 
- High serum creatinine (> 3 mg/dl) is an indication for careful monitoring of renal function, and potassium. Benefits can still be obtained in spite of renal insufficiency. 
- A slight stable increase in serum creatinine after the introduction of ACE inhibitors does not limit use. 
- ACE-I are more effective when combined with diuretics and moderate salt restriction. 
 

ACE inhibitors drugs

Captopril 50-150 mg       
Enalapril 2.5-40 mg
Lisinopril 10-40 mg
Ramipril 2.5-20  mg        
Perindopril 2-8  mg

Angiotensin Receptor Blocker  

Losartan    25-100 mg 
Candesartan 4-32  mg
Telmisartan 20-80 mg

Mechanism of action 

They act by blocking type I angiotensin II receptors generally, producing more blockade of the renin -angiotensin - aldosterone axis. 

Advantages 

• Similar metabolic profile to that of ACE-I. 
• Renal protection. 
• They do not produce cough. 

Indications 

Patients with a compelling indication for ACE-I and who can not tolerate them because of cough or allergic reactions. 

Halothane (Fluothane) MAC 0.76%, Blood/gas solubility ratio 2.3
- Nonflammable.
- Any depth of anesthesia can be obtained in the absence of hypoxia.
- Halothane produces a marked hypotensive effect 
- accompanies hypotension.
- Halothane “sensitizes” the ventricular conduction system in the heart to the action of catecholamines. However, ventricular arrhythmias are rare if
- respiratory acidosis, hypoxia and other causes of sympathetic stimulation are avoided.
- Respiration is depressed by all anesthetic concentrations.
- Halothane is metabolized to a significant extent and some of its metabolic produces have been shown to be hepatotoxic.
- Can produce a malignant hyperpyrexia due to an uncontrolled hypermetabolic reaction in skeletal muscle. 

Halothane is generally used with nitrous oxide, an opiate and a neuromuscular blocking drug.

Anti-Parkinson Drugs
The disease involves degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the nigral-striatal pathway in the basal ganglia. The cause is usually unknown. Sometimes it is associated with hypoxia, toxic chemicals, or cerebral infections.

Strategy
1. Increase dopamine in basal ganglia.
2. Block muscarinic receptors in the basal ganglia, since cholinergic function opposes the action of dopamine in the basal ganglia.
3. Newer therapies, such as the use of β-adrenergic receptor blockers.

Drugs
a. L-dopa plus carbidopa (Sinemet).
b. Bromocriptine, pergolide, pramipexole, ropinirole.
c. Benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, biperiden, procyclidine.
d. Diphenhydramine.
e. Amantadine.
f. Tolcapone and entacapone.
g. Selegiline.

Mechanisms of action of three drugs affecting DOPA

1. L-dopa plus carbidopa:
L-dopa is able to penetrate the blood–brain barrier and is then converted into dopamine. Carbidopa inhibits dopa decarboxylase, which catalyzes the formation of dopamine.
Carbidopa does not penetrate the blood–brain barrier; it therefore prevents the conversion of L-dopa to dopamine outside the CNS but allows
the conversion of L-dopa to dopamine inside the CNS.

2. Bromocriptine, pergolide, pramipexole, and ropinirole are direct dopamine receptor agonists.
3. Benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, biperiden, and procyclidine are antimuscarinic drugs.
4. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that has antimuscarinic action.
5. Amantadine releases dopamine and inhibits neuronal uptake of dopamine.
6. Selegiline is an irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), which metabolizes dopamine. Selegiline therefore increases the level of dopamine.
7. Tolcapone is an inhibitor of catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), another enzyme that metabolizes dopamine.
8. Entacapone is another COMT inhibitor.

Dopamine and acetylcholine.
 Loss of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinsonism leads to unopposed action by cholinergic neurons. Inhibiting muscarinic receptors can help alleviate symptoms of Parkinsonism

Adverse effects

1. L-dopa 
-  The therapeutic effects of the drug decrease with time.
- Oscillating levels of clinical efficacy of the drug (“on-off” effect).
- Mental changes—psychosis.
- Tachycardia and orthostatic hypotension.
- Nausea.
- Abnormal muscle movements (dyskinesias).

2. Tolcapone, entacapone (similar to L-dopa).

3. Direct dopamine receptor agonists (similar to L-dopa).

4. Antimuscarinic drugs
-  Typical antimuscarinic adverse effects such as dry mouth.

b. Sedation.

5. Diphenhydramine (see antimuscarinic drugs).

6. Amantadine
-  Nausea.
- Dizziness.
- Edema.
- Sweating.

7. Selegiline
- Nausea.
- Dry mouth.
- Dizziness.
- Insomnia.
- Although selegiline is selective for MAO-B, it still can cause excessive toxicity in the presence of tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, and meperidine.

Indications

Parkinson’s disease is the obvious major use of the above drugs. Parkinson-like symptoms can occur with many antipsychotic drugs. These symptoms are often treated with antimuscarinic drugs or diphenhydramine.

Dental implications of anti-Parkinson drugs
1. Dyskinesia caused by drugs can present a challenge for dental treatment.
2. Orthostatic hypotension poses a risk when changing from a reclining to a standing position.
3. The dentist should schedule appointments at a time of day at which the best control of the disease occurs.
4. Dry mouth occurs with several of the drugs.
 

 Sympathomimetics

Beta-Adrenergic Agonists

Beta1-adrenergic agonists (dopamine, dobutamine, prenalterol, xamoterol) have been used to treat acute and chronic heart failure, but have limited usefulness in chronic CHF because of their arrhythmogenic effects, short duration of action, the development of tolerance, and necessity of parenteral administration

Dopamine (i.v.) is used in acute heart failure (cardiogenic shock) to increase blood pressure and increase cardiac output

• It has a short half-life (1 min)
• At high doses dopamine has potent peripheral vasoconstrictor effects (alpha-receptor stimulation), in addition to its inotropic effects
• Low dose dopamine has a renal artery dilating effect and may improve sodium and water excretion in patients refractory to loop diuretics
• When systolic pressure is greater than 90 mm Hg, nitroprusside can be added to reduce ventricular filling pressure and reduce afterload
• i.v. furosemide should also be administered to reduce edema

Levodopa and ibopamine, analogs of dopamine that can be administered orally, have been shown to improve symptoms in some patients, but can exhibit arrhythmogenic side-effects and tachyphylaxis

Dobutamine is a somewhat selective beta1-adrenergic agonist that lacks vasoconstrictor activity and causes minimal changes in heart rate

• It is frequently added to nitroprusside when blood pressure is adequate to increase cardiac output
• It is administered as an i.v. infusion to treat acute severe heart failure
• It has a short half-life (2.4 min) and is only used on a short-term basis, although long-term beneficial effects on cardiac function have been noted
• After 72 hours of therapy, tolerance can develop to dobutamine necessitating switch to other inotropic support (e.g. milrinone)
• Dobutamine can enhance AV conduction and worsen atrial tachycardia

Prenalterol and xamoterol are partial beta1-adrenergic agonists that may simultaneously stimulate beta1-receptors and block the receptors from stimulation by endogenous catecholamines, thereby protecting against beta1-receptor down-regulation