NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
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
Topical Anesthetics
Benzocaine
Benzocaine is a derivative of procaine, an ester type local anesthetic, and is poorly soluble in water and is
available only as a topical anesthetic.
- Localized allergic reactions are sometimes encountered
- Overdosing is unlikely as benzocaine is poorly absorbed into the blood, which decreases the likelihood of systemic toxicity.
- The onset of surface anesthesia is rapid requiring less than one minute.
Tetracaine
- Tetracaine is an ester type local anesthetic
- Topically applied tetracaine as opposed to benzocaine has a prolonged duration of action.
Cocaine
- Cocaine is a ester type anesthetic that is used exclusively as a topical agent.
- Cocaine is unique among topical and injectable anesthetics in that it has vasoconstrictive as well as anesthetic properties. It is used sparingly because of its abuse potential but is still used when hemostasis of mucous membranes is essential.
- Cocaine is generally available in concentrations of 2-10 % solution.
Lidocaine
- Lidocaine is an amide local anesthetic that is available in injectable and topical formulations.
- It is available in gel, viscous solution, ointment and aerosol preparations in concentrations ranging from 2-10 %.
- The onset of anesthesia is slower relative to benzocaine but, the duration is about the same.
- Absorption into the bloodstream is greater than benzocaine providing a greater risk of systemic toxicity.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
e.g. phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide
- Belong to first generation antidepressants with TCAs
- Most MAOIs irreversibly inhibit the intraneuronal catabolism of norepinephrine and serotonin by MAO-A and MAO-B
- increase brain levels of noradrenaline and 5-HT
- Moclobemide causes selective, reversible inhibition of MAO-A
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Hypertensive crises similar to cheese reaction with OTC cough/cold preparations containing indirect-sympathomimetics
e.g. ephedrine
- Other antidepressants should not be started at least 2 weeks after stopping MAOIs and vice versa due to risk of serotonin syndrome
- Similar interaction with pethidine
ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS
- Antimuscarinic side effects (e.g. dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention)vision, urinary retention)
- Excessive central stimulation causes tremors, excitement and insomnia
- Postural hypotension
- Increased appetite with weight gain
Lithium carbonate: 1st choice (controls mania in bipolar disorders); delay before onset of therapeutic benefit; no psychotropic effects in normal humans
i. Mechanism: blocks enzymes in inositol phosphate signaling pathway; no consistent effects of lithium on NE, 5-HT, and DA
ii. Side effects: severe CNS (ataxia, delirium, coma, convulsions) and CV (cardiac dysrhythmias)
Phenobarbital (Luminal): for generalized tonic-clonic and partial seizures (not used for absence seizures)
Mechanism: enhances GABA inhibition (↑ open time of Cl channels in presence of GABA)
Side effects: sedation, ataxia, cognitive impairment, induction of hepatic microsomal enzymes
Griseofulvin
- Griseofulvin is an antifungal drug. It is used both in animals and in humans, to treat ringworm infections of the skin and nails. It is derived from the mold Penicillium griseofulvum.
- It is administered orally.
Examples of calculations of doses of vasoconstrictors
Ratio concentrations represent grams per millilitre
1:100,000 = 0.01 mg/mL or 10 µg/mL
1:200,000 = 0.005 mg/mL or 5 µg/mL
1:50,000 = 0.02 mg/mL or 20 µg/mL
1 cartridge of epinephrine 1:200,000 = 9 µg
1 cartridge of epinephrine 1:100,000 = 18 µg
1 cartridge of epinephrine 1:50,000 = 36 µg
1 cartridge of levonordefrin 1:20,000 = 90 µg