NEET MDS Lessons
Pharmacology
Gastric acid neutralizers (antacids)
Antacids act primarily in the stomach and are used to prevent and treat peptic ulcer. They are also used in the treatment of Reflux esophagitis and Gastritis.
Mechanism of action:
Antacids are alkaline substances (weak bases) that neutralize gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) they react with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to produce neutral or less acidic or poorly absorbed products and raise the pH of stomach secretion.
Antacids are divided into systemic and non-systemic.
• Systemic antacids (e.g. sodium bicarbonate) are highly absorbed into systemic circulation and enter body fluids. Therefore, they may alter acid–base balance. They can be used in the treatment of metabolic acidosis.
Non-systemic: they do not alter acid–base balance significantly, because they are not well-absorbed into the systemic circulation. They are used as gastric antacids; and include:
• Magnesium compounds such as magnesium hydroxide and magnesium sulphate MgS2O3. They have relatively high neutralizing capacity, rapid onset of action, however, they may cause diarrhoea and hypermagnesemia.
• Aluminium compounds such as aluminium hydroxide. Generally, these have low neutralizing capacity, slow onset of action but long duration of action. They may cause constipation.
• Calcium compounds such as. These are highly effective and have a rapid onset of action but may cause hypersecretion of acid (acid - rebound) and milk-alkali syndrome (hence rarely used in peptic ulcer disease).
Therefore, the most commonly used antacids are mixtures of aluminium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide .
Antiplatelet Drugs:
Whereas the anticoagulant drugs such as Warfarin and Heparin suppress the synthesis or activity of the clotting factors and are used to control venous thromboembolic disorders, the antithrombotic drugs suppress platelet function and are used primarily for arterial thrombotic disease. Platelet plugs form the bulk of arterial thrombi.
Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
• Inhibits release of ADP by platelets and their aggregation by acetylating the enzymes (cyclooxygenases or COX) of the platelet that synthesize the precursors of Thromboxane A2 that is a labile inducer of platelet aggregation and a potent vasoconstrictor.
• Low dose (160-320 mg) may be more effective in inhibiting Thromboxane A2 than PGI2 which has the opposite effect and is synthesized by the endothelium.
• The effect of aspirin is irreversible.
Effects and Toxic Actions on Organ Systems
1. Local anesthetics (dose dependent) interfere with transmission in any excitable tissue (e.g. CNS and CVS).
2. CNS effects
a. Central neurons very sensitive.
b. Excitatory-dizziness, visual and auditory disturbances, apprehension, disorientation and muscle twitching more common with ester type agents.
c. Depression manifested as slurred speech, drowsiness and unconsciousness more common with amide type agents (e.g. lidocaine).
d. Higher concentrations of local anesthetic may eventually produce tonic-clonic[grand mal] convulsions.
e. Very large doses may produce respiratory depression which can be fatal. Artificial respiration may be life-saving.
3.CVS effects
a. Local anesthetics have direct action on the myocardium and peripheral vasculature by closing the sodium channel, thereby limiting the inward flux of sodium ions.
b. Myocardium usually depressed both in rate and force of contraction. Depression of ectopic pacemakers useful in treating cardiac arrhythmias.
c. Concentrations employed clinically usually cause vasodilation in area of injection.
d. Vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine may counteract these effects on myocardium and vasculature.
4. Local Tissue Responses
a. Occasionally focal necrosis in skeletal muscle at injection site, decreased cell motility and delayed wound healing.
b. Tissue hypoxia may be produced by action of excessive amounts of vasoconstrictors.
Miconazole
Miconazole is an imidazole antifungal agent commonly used in topical sprays, creams and ointments applied to the skin to cure fungal infections such as Athlete's foot and Jock itch. It may also be used internally to treat vaginal yeast infection.
When used by a person taking the anticoagulant medication warfarin, Miconazole may cause an adverse reaction which can lead to excessive bleeding or bruising.
Heroin (diacetyl morphine)
Heroin is synthetically derived from the natural opioid alkaloid morphine
Largely owing to its very rapid onset of action and very short half-life, heroin is a popular drug of abuse
It is most effective when used intravenously
Heroin is rapidly deacetylated to 6-monoacetyl morphine and morphine, both of which are active at the mu opioid receptor
More lipid soluble than morphine and about 2½ times more potent. It enters the CNS more readily.
Warfarin (Coumadin):
- The most common oral anticoagulant.
- It is only active in vivo.
- Warfarin is almost completely bound to plasma proteins. -96% to 98% bound.
- Warfarin is metabolized by the liver and excreted in the urine.
- Coumarin anticoagulants pass the placental barrier and are secreted into the maternal milk.
- Newborn infants are more sensitive to oral anticoagulants than are adults because of lower vitamin K levels and lower rates of metabolism.
- Bleeding is the most common side effect and occurs most often from the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary tract.
Oral anticoagulants are contraindicated in:
• Conditions where active bleeding must be avoided, Vitamin K deficiency and severe
hepatic or renal disease, and where intensive salicylate therapy is required.
ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS
Blocks the action of Ach on autonomic effectors.
Classification
Natural Alkaloids - Atropine. Hyoscine
Semi-synthetic deriuvatives:- Homatropine, Homatropine methylbromide, Atropine methonitrate.
Synthetic compounds
(a) Mydriatics - Cyclopentolate. Tropicamide.
(b) Antisecretory - Antispasmodics - Propantha1ine. Oxy-phenonium, Pirenzipine.
c) Antiparkinsonism- Benzotopine, Ethopropazine, Trihexyphenidyl, Procyclidine, Biperiden
Other drugs with anticholinergic properties • Tricyclic Antidepressants • Phenothiazines • Antihistaminics • Disopyramide
MUSCARINIC RECEPTORS SUBTYPES & ANTAGONISTS
• M 1 Antagonists – Pirenzepine, Telenzepine, dicyclomine, trihexyphenidyl
• M 2 Antagonists – Gallamine, methoctramine
• M 3 Antagonists – Darifenacin, solifenacin, oxybutynin, tolterodine
Pharmacological Actions
CNS - stimulation of medullary centres like vagal. respiratory. vasomotor and inhibition of vestibular excitation and has anti-motion sickness properties.
CVS - tachycardia.
Eye - mydriasis
Smooth muscles - relaxation of the muscles receiving parnsympathetic motor innervation.
Glands - decreased secretion of sweat and salivary glands
Body Temperature - is increased as there is stimulation of temperature regulating centre.
Respiratory System- Bronchodilatation & decrease in secretions. For COPD or Asthma - antimuscarinic drugs are effective
GIT - Pirenzepine & Telenzepine - decrease gastric secretion with lesser side effects.