NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamic Effects of NSAIDs
A. Positive
analgesic - refers to the relief of pain by a mechanism other than the reduction of inflammation (for example, headache);
- produce a mild degree of analgesia which is much less than the analgesia produced by opioid analgesics such as morphine
anti-inflammatory - these drugs are used to treat inflammatory diseases and injuries, and with larger doses - rheumatoid disorders
antipyretic - reduce fever; lower elevated body temperature by their action on the hypothalamus; normal body temperature is not reduced
Anti-platelet - inhibit platelet aggregation, prolong bleeding time; have anticoagulant effects
B. Negative
Gastric irritant
Decreased renal perfusion
Bleeding
(CNS effects)
Adverse effects
The two main adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with NSAIDs relate to gastrointestinal (GI) effects and renal effects of the agents.
Gastrointestinal ADRs
The main ADRs associated with use of NSAIDs relate to direct and indirect irritation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). NSAIDs cause a dual insult on the GIT - the acidic molecules directly irritate the gastric mucosa; and inhibition of COX-1 reduces the levels of protective prostaglandins.
Common gastrointestinal ADRs include:
Nausea, dyspepsia, ulceration/bleeding, diarrhoea
Risk of ulceration increases with duration of therapy, and with higher doses. In attempting to minimise GI ADRs, it is prudent to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest period of time..
Ketoprofen and piroxicam appear to have the highest prevalence of gastric ADRs, while ibuprofen (lower doses) and diclofenac appear to have lower rates.
Commonly, gastrointestinal adverse effects can be reduced through suppressing acid production, by concomitant use of a proton pump inhibitor, e.g. omeprazole
Renal ADRs
NSAIDs are also associated with a relatively high incidence of renal ADRs. The mechanism of these renal ADRs is probably due to changes in renal haemodynamics (bloodflow), ordinarily mediated by prostaglandins, which are affected by NSAIDs.
Common ADRs associated with altered renal function include:
salt and fluid retention,hypertension
These agents may also cause renal impairment, especially in combination with other nephrotoxic agents. Renal failure is especially a risk if the patient is also concomitantly taking an ACE inhibitor and a diuretic - the so-called "triple whammy" effect.
In rarer instances NSAIDs may also cause more severe renal conditions.
interstitial nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, acute renal failure
Photosensitivity
Photosensitivity is a commonly overlooked adverse effect of many of the NSAIDs. These antiinflammatory agents may themselves produce inflammation in combination with exposure to sunlight. The 2-arylpropionic acids have proven to be the most likely to produce photosensitivity reactions, but other NSAIDs have also been implicated including piroxicam, diclofenac and benzydamine.
ibuprofen having weak absorption, it has been reported to be a weak photosensitising agent.
Other ADRs
Common ADRs, other than listed above, include: raised liver enzymes, headache, dizziness.
Uncommon ADRs include: heart failure, hyperkalaemia, confusion, bronchospasm, rash.
The COX-2 paradigm
It was thought that selective inhibition of COX-2 would result in anti-inflammatory action without disrupting gastroprotective prostaglandins.
The relatively selective COX-2 oxicam, meloxicam, was the first step towards developing a true COX-2 selective inhibitor. Coxibs, the newest class of NSAIDs, can be considered as true COX-2 selective inhibitors and include celecoxib, rofecoxib, valdecoxib, parecoxib and etoricoxib.
Neurophysiology
Nerve fibers exhibit wide range of sensitivity to nerve blockade-in order of increasing resistance to block are the sensations of pain, cold, warmth, touch, pressure, proprioception and motor function
Nerve Fibers:
|
Types |
Size |
Speed |
Occurrence |
|
A (α) |
20 µm |
80 - 120 |
Myelinated (Primarily for muscular activity). |
|
β |
8 - 15 µm |
|
Myelinated (Touch and pressure) |
|
γ |
4 - 8 µm |
|
Myelinated (Muscle spindle tone) |
|
δ |
3 - 4 µm |
10-15 |
Myelinated (Pain and temperature sensation) |
|
B |
4 µm |
10-15 |
Myelinated (Preganglionic autonomic) |
|
C |
1-2 µm |
1 - 2 |
Unmyelinated (Pain and temperature sensation) |
Myelinated = faster conducting
Unmyelinated = slower conducting
- Small non-myelinated fibers (C- pain fibers) and smaller myelinated pre-ganglionic B fibers are more readily blocked than are larger myelinated fibers responsible for muscle activity and touch [A-alpha and A-beta].
- Clinically, a person would notice complete lack of sensation to a pinprick, while at the same time still be able to move their fingers.
Methyl salicylate
also known as oil of wintergreen, betula oil, methyl ester) is a natural product of many species of plants Structurally, it is methylated salicylic acid It is used as an ingredient in deep heating rubs
Amphotericin B
Main use is in systemic fungal infections (e.g. in immunocompromised patients), and in visceral leishmaniasis. Aspergillosis, cryptococcus infections (e.g. meningitis) and candidiasis are treated with amphotericin B. It is also used empirically in febrile immunocompromised patients who do not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
MOA:
As with other polyene antifungals, amphotericin B associates with ergosterol, a membrane chemical of fungi, forming a pore that leads to K+ leakage and fungal cell death
Side effects: nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) , headache, vomiting, convulsions and fever
The side-effects are much milder when amphotericin B is delivered in liposomes
Beta - Adrenergic Blocking Agents
Mechanisms of Action
- Initial decrease in cardiac output, followed by reduction in peripheral vascular resistance.
- Other actions include decrease plasma renin activity, resetting of baroreceptors, release of vasodilator prostaglandins, and blockade of prejunctional beta-receptors.
Advantages
- Documented reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Cardioprotection: primary and secondary prevention against coronary artery events (i.e. ischemia, infarction, arrhythmias, death).
- Relatively not expensive.
Considerations
- Beta blockers are used with caution in patients with bronchospasm.
- Contraindicated in more than grade I AV, heart block.
- Do not discontinue abruptly.
Side Effects
- Bronchospasm and obstructive airway disease.
- Bradycardia
- Metabolic effects (raise triglyerides levels and decrease HDL cholesterol; may worsen insulin sensitivity and cause glucose intolerance). Increased incidence of diabetes mellitus.
- Coldness of extremities.
- Fatigue.
- Mask symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Impotence.
Indications
- First line treatment for hypertension as an alternative to diuretics.
- Hypertension associated with coronary artery disease.
- Hyperkinetic circulation and high cardiac output hypertension (e.g., young hypertensives).
- Hypertension associated with supraventricular tachycardia, migraine, essential tremors, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Beta adrenergic blocker Drugs
Atenolol 25-100
Metoprolol 50-200
Bisoprolol 2.5-10
Aminoglycoside
Aminoglycosides are a group of antibiotics that are effective against certain types of bacteria. They include amikacin, gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, netilmicin, paromomycin, streptomycin, and tobramycin. Those which are derived from Streptomyces species
Aminoglycosides work by binding to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, causing misreading of t-RNA, leaving the bacterium unable to synthesize proteins vital to its growth.
Aminoglycosides are useful primarily in infections involving aerobic, Gram-negative bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Enterobacter. In addition, some mycobacteria, including the bacteria that cause tuberculosis, are susceptible to aminoglycosides. Streptomycin was the first effective drug in the treatment of tuberculosis, though the role of aminoglycosides such as streptomycin and amikacin have been eclipsed (because of their toxicity and inconvenient route of administration) except for multiple drug resistant strains.
Infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria can also be treated with aminoglycosides, but other types of antibiotics are more potent and less damaging to the host. In the past the aminoglycosides have been used in conjunction with penicillin-related antibiotics in streptococcal infections for their synergistic effects, particularly in endocarditis.
Because of their potential for ototoxicity and renal toxicity, aminoglycosides are administered in doses based on body weight. Blood drug levels and creatinine are monitored during the course of therapy.
There is no oral form of these antibiotics: they are generally administered intravenously, though some are used in topical preparations used on wounds.
Aminoglycosides are mostly ineffective against anaerobic bacteria, fungi and viruses.
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)