Opiate Antagonists

Opiate antagonists have no agonist properties. They are utilized to reverse opiate induced respiratory depression and to prevent drug abuse.

A. Naloxone

 Pure opiate antagonist , Short duration of action,  Only 1/50th as potent orally as parenterally

B. Naltrexone

Pure opiate antagonist, Long duration of action, Better oral efficacy

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.
 

Amoxicillin

a moderate-spectrum

β-lactam antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections caused by susceptible

Mode of action Amoxicillin acts by inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. It inhibits cross-linkage between the linear peptidoglycan polymer chains that make up a major component of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. microorganisms. It is usually the drug of choice within the class because it is better absorbed, following oral administration, than other beta-lactam antibiotics. Amoxicillin is susceptible to degradation by  β-lactamase-producing bacteria, and so is often given clavulanic acid.

Microbiology Amoxicillin is a moderate-spectrum antibiotic active against a wide range of Gram-positive, and a limited range of Gram-negative organisms

Susceptible Gram-positive organisms : Streptococcus spp., Diplococcus pneumoniae, non β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus spp., and Streptococcus faecalis.

Susceptible Gram-negative organisms  Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Neisseria meningitidis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Salmonella spp.

Resistant organisms Penicillinase producing organisms, particularly penicillinase producing Staphylococcus spp. Penicillinase-producing N. gonorrhoeae and H. influenzae are also resistant

All strains of Pseudomonas spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., indole-positive

Proteus spp., Serratia marcescens, and Citrobacter spp. are resistant.

The incidence of β-lactamase-producing resistant organisms, including E. coli, appears to be increasing.

Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid Amoxicillin is sometimes combined with clavulanic acid, a β-lactamase inhibitor, to increase the spectrum of action against

Gram-negative organisms, and to overcome bacterial antibiotic resistance mediated through β-lactamase production.

VITAMIN -K

• Group of lipophilic, hydrophobic vitamins.
• Needed for the post-translational modification of coagulation proteins.
• Phylloquinone (vitamin K1) is the major dietary form of vitamin K.

• Vitamin K2 (menaquinone, menatetrenone) is produced by bacteria in the intestines.

SULPHONAMIDES

Derivative of  sulphonilamide (Para-amino Benzene (PABA ) sulphonamide).

Anti-bacterial spectrum

Bacteriostatic to gram + and gram - bacteria. but bactericidal concentrations arce attained in urine. S pyogencs. H influenzae.E coli, few- Staph aureus. gonococci. pneumococci, proteus, shigella and Lymphogranuloma venereum.

Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial folate synthetase as they compete with PABA

Less soluble in acid urine and may precipitate to cause crystalluria.

Accumulate in patients with renal failure and can cause toxicity

Classification

Shart Acting (4-8 Hrs) sulphadiazine, sulphamethizole.

Intermediate acting(8-16 Hrs): sulphamethoxazole , sulphaphenazole

Long Acting(l-7days): sulphamethoxypyridazine.

Ultralong Acting(3-8days): sulfaline

Adverse effects

I. nausea, vomiting and epigastric pain

2. crystalluria

3. hypersensitivity-like polyarthritis nodosa. Steven-Johnson Syndrome. photosenstivity

4.hemolysis in G-6PD deficiency

5. kernicterus

They inhibit metabolism of phenytoin. tolbutamide. methotrexate

Therapeutic Use

UTI Meningitis, Streptococcal pharyngitis, Bacillary Dysentery

DIURETICS