D. PHARMACY 2ND YEAR PHARMACOLOGY IMPORTANT LONG QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS PART 1

 

PHARMACOLOGY IMPORTANT LONG QUESTIONS (15 MARKS)

(PART 1: QUESTION NO. 1-7)

PREPARED BY MR. ABHIJIT DAS

 

1.    What do you mean by parenteral route? What are advantages of parenteral routes over oral route? Classify parenteral route.

2.    Define absorption of drugs. Give a note on different processes of absorption of drugs and factors affecting the absorption process.

3.    Define biotransformation of a drug. Describe various processes of drug metabolism.

4.    Explain the various factors affecting the dose and action of drugs.

5.    Define cholinergic drugs. Classify it with suitable suitable examples. Give a note on pharmacological action of acetylcholine.

6.    What do you mean by sympathomimetics and parasympathomimetics? Classify anti-cholinergic drugs. Discuss pharmacological action of atropine on eye, CVS, glands and smooth muscles.

7.    Define adrenergic drugs & classify them. Describe about pharmacological action, adverse effect and use of adrenaline.

8.    Write down the definition, classification, mechanism of action, pharmacological action and use of local anaesthetics.

9.    Explain general anaesthetics. Briefly describe the different stages of general anaesthesia. Write a note on barbiturates.

10.                       What are NSAIDS? Classify them. Write the mechanism of action, pharmacological action and uses of aspirin.

11.                       what is the difference between narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics? Classify opiod  analgesics. Give a note on pharmacological actions, ADME, side effects and therapeutic effects of morphine.

12.                       Define epilepsy. Describe shortly different types of epilepsy. Classify anti epileptic drugs. Write the mechanism of action and adverse effects of phenytoin.

13.                       What is sedative? Classify the drugs used as sedative-hypnotics. Give an account of pharmacological action, ADME, adverse reactions and therapeutic uses of barbiturates.

14.                       Define diuretics. Classify it. Write down the pharmacological action, adverse effect and use of furosemide.

15.                       What do you mean by cardiac glycosides? Write the mechanism of action, pharmacological action, adverse effects and uses of digoxin.

16.                       Enumerate the drugs used for the treatment of peptic ulcer and describe pharmacological action, toxicities of H2 blockers.

17.                       What is purgative? Classify it with example. Give a note on irritant purgatives.

18.                       Define chemotherapeutic agents and antibiotics. Write the mechanism of action of penicillins and a note on semi-synthetic penicillins. Or Classify penicillins and describe their method of action, toxicity and therapeutic uses.

19.                       What is tuberculosis? Classify anti tubercular drugs with examples. Give a note on firstline anti tubercular drugs.

20.                       What is amoebiasis? Classify antiamoebic drugs. Discuss about the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, side effects and uses of metronidazole.

21.                       What is cancer? Classify anti cancer drugs. Discuss shortly the mechanism of action of anti metabolites and alkylating agents.

 

1.  WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY PARENTERAL ROUTE? WHAT ARE ADVANTAGES OF PARENTERAL ROUTES OVER ORAL ROUTE? CLASSIFY PARENTERAL ROUTE.

ANS:

A route of administration is the path by which a drug is taken into the body. The choice of appropriate route in a given situation depends both on drug as well as patient related factors. In addition, some drugs are maximally absorbed through a particular route as compared to another route.

PARENTERAL ROUTE

Par=without

Enteron=intestine

So, parenteral route means a route which is other than GIT route. In this route the drug administration is merely done by injection, inhalation, and topical application. The drug will go directly into the tissue fluid or blood without having to cross the intestinal mucosa.

ADVANTAGES OF PARENTERAL ROUTE:

       i.            It is useful for poorly absorbed drugs.

    ii.            Immediate onset of action.

 iii.            Useful in emergency condition.

 iv.            Useful when the patient is unconscious.

    v.            Accurate dose can be given.

CLASSIFICATION OF PARENTERAL ROUTE

       i.            Injections

    ii.            Inhalation

 iii.            Transdermal route

INJECTIONS

Injection means the act of putting a drug into a person’s body using a needle and a syringe.

1.    Intravenous – This involves the administration of drugs directly into a vein. It is useful in case of emergency.

2.    Intraspinal – This involves the administration of a drug within the vertebral column.

3.    Intraarterial – This involves direct administration of a drug to an artery.

4.    Intracerebroventricular – This involves direct administration of a drug to the cerebral ventricles. This route bypasses the blood-brain barrier.

5.    Intracardiac-This route is used as an emergency route during an cardiac arrest. Ex- Adrenaline injection into heart.

6.    Intradermal- Administration of drugs into dermis of the skin.

7.    Intraarticular- Administration of drugs into the joints.

8.    Intralymphatic- Administration of drugs into the lymph node.

9.    Intraperitoneal- Administration of drugs into the peritoneal cavity.

10.                       Intramuscular – Administration of drugs deep into the muscle tissue.

11.                       Subcutaneous- Drugs are administered under the skin.

INHALATION

Ø Volatile liquid and gases are given by inhalation for systemic action.

Ø Absorption takes place from surface of alveoli to blood circulation.

Ø Action is very rapid

Ø Ex: General anaesthetics

TRANSDERMAL ROUTE

The transdermal route is commonly referred to as ‘the patch’ because the medication is contained in a patch that will be absorbed through the skin. The patches will deliver the contained drug at a constant rate into systemic circulation.

The drug is held in a reservoir between an backing film and a rate controlling micropore membrane. So the drug will be delivered at a constant and predictable rate.

2.  DEFINE ABSORPTION OF DRUGS. GIVE A NOTE ON DIFFERENT PROCESSES OF ABSORPTION OF DRUGS AND FACTORS AFFECTING THE ABSORPTION PROCESS.

ANS:

Absorption is a process of transfer of drug from the site of administration to the systemic circulation.

     


 

DIFFERENT PROCESSES OF ABSORPTION OF DRUGS

A. Passive transfer:

1.    Simple diffusion

2.    Filtration

B. Specialized transfer:

1.    Active transport

2.    Facilitated diffusion

3.    Pinocytosis

                                                                          

Ø SIMPLE DIFFUSION/PASSIVE TRANSPORT

Substances can be transported from higher concentration to lower concentration.

It does not require the assistance of membrane proteins.

Ex- passive transport of small non polar drugs

Ø FILTRATION

Only water soluble substances can be transported through this process through aqueous pores present in the cell membrane.

Molecules will move from area of higher concentration to area of lower concentration.

Ø ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Active transport is the movement of drug molecules from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration against the concentration gradient.

Active transport requires cellular energy(ATP) to make this happen.

 



Ø FACILITATED DIFFUSION

It is the process of transport done by the help of carrier protein.

Being passive, facilitated diffusion doesn’t require chemical energy from ATP.



Ø PINOCYTOSIS

In this process cells engulf fluids or macromolecules from the surroundings.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE ABSORPTION PROCESS

1.     LIPOPHILICITY

Lipid solubility of the drug affect drug absorption from the GI tract.

Lipid soluble drugs are absorbed more rapidly than water soluble drugs.

2.     PHYSICAL STATE

Physical state of drugs is one of the most important factors affecting their absorption.

It has been observed that liquid drugs are well absorbed than solid drugs. Also, aqueous solutions are more quickly absorbed than oily solutions. Gasses are more quickly absorbed through lungs.

3.     DEGREE OF IONIZATION

Unionized drugs are easily absorbed than ionized drugs.

Different drugs are either acidic or basic and are present in ionized or unionized form.

Acidic drugs are unionized in the acidic medium and basic drugs are unionized in the basic medium. That’s why acidic drugs are quickly absorbed from the acidic compartment.

4.     PARTICL SIZE

 It has been studied that smaller particle sized drugs are better absorbed than larger particle sized drugs.

Smaller particle size provides greater surface area of a given weight of drug thus improving the process of absorption.

5.     PH

Acidic pH favors acidic drug absorption and basic pH is better for basic drugs. That means, acidic drugs are rapidly absorbed from stomach.

On the other hand, basic drugs are not absorbed until they reach the small intestine.

 

6.     CONCENTRATION

Passive diffusion depends on concentration gradient. So, concentrated forms of drugs are quickly absorbed than dilute solutions. Higher concentration of drugs helps better absorption of those drugs.

7.     SURFACE AREA

Larger the surface area of the absorbing membrane, more will be the absorption.

Drugs can be easily absorbed from the small intestine than the stomach due to large surface area of the small intestine.

The absorption of drugs through sublingual route is faster. That means absorption of drugs from highly vascular membrane will be faster.

8.     ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Some drugs are well absorbed through parenteral route than oral route.

Bioavailability of drugs administered through parenteral route is always more than the bioavailability of drugs administered through oral route.

Certain drugs are degraded in the GI tract by acid and are ineffective orally. So enteric coated tablets can be used to overcome acid lability.

9.     PRESENCE OF FOOD

Foods can interact with the drugs to alter their rate of absorption.

Ex-antihyperlipidemic drugs are better absorbed when taken with the food.

 

 

 

10.                                                                                                                                                                    PHARMACEUTICAL FACTORS

DISINTEGRATION:

Disintegration is the breaking up of the dosage form into smaller particles. So, when disintegration occurs rapidly, rapid will be the absorption.

DISSOLUTION:

After disintegration, drugs dissolve in the gastric juices, which is called dissolution. When rapid is the dissolution, rapid will be the absorption.

11.                                                                                                                                                                    GI MOBILITY

GI mobility should be optimal for oral drug absorption. That means it should be neither increased nor decreased.

Different situations may alter the GI mobility. Diarrhea causes rapid peristalsis (GIT movement), thus the process of absorption is affected. Constipation affects disintegration so decreases mobility.

 

3.  DEFINE BIOTRANSFORMATION (DRUG METABOLISM) OF A DRUG. DESCRIBE VARIOUS PROCESSES OF DRUG METABOLISM.

ANS:

METABOLISM/BIOTRANSFORMATION

Metabolism means modification of drug by enzymes to make the drug ineffective.

It is needed to convert lipid-soluble compounds to water soluble compounds so that they will be easily excreted. That’s why most hydrophilic (water-soluble) drugs are little biotransformed and are largely excreted unchanged.

The primary site for drug excretion is liver. Other sites are kidney, intestine, lungs etc.

Liver does it mainly through two metabolic reactions called phase 1 and phase 2.

PHASE 1 REACTIONS

Phase 1 reactions are all about making a drug more hydrophilic. These reactions involve introduction or unmasking of a polar functional group so in phase 1 we are going to see oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, cyclization and decyclization.

OXIDATION

Ø The enzyme system which oxidizes the drug is called ‘cytochrome P-450 system’.

Ø This reaction involves addition of oxygen/negatively charged radical or removal of hydrogen/positively charged radical.

Ø Oxidations are the most important drug metabolizing reactions.

Ø Types of oxidation: Microsomal oxidation and NON-microsomal oxidation.

Ø Microsomal Oxidation- Catalyzed by enzymes present in the microsome of liver

a)    Hydroxylation – addition of hydroxyl group.

Ex – phenytoin à hydroxyl phenytoin

b)   Dealkylation – removal of alkyl group

Ex - codeinà morphine

c)    S-Oxidation – addition of sulfoxide group

Ex- Cimentidineà cimentidine sulfoxide

Ø Non-microsomal Oxidation- catalyzed by enzymes present in the endoplasmic reticulum of liver.

Ø Barbiturates, imipramine, phenothiazines, imipramine, ibuprofen, paracetamol etc are oxidized in this way.

REDUCTION

Ø This reaction involves removal of oxygen or addition of hydrogen.

Ø Warfarin, halothane, chloramphenicol etc are reduced.

HYDROLYSIS

Ø Hydrolysis is any chemical reaction in which a molecule of water breaks one or more chemical bonds.

Ø Hydrolysis occurs in liver, intestine, plasma etc.

Ø Ex- aspirin, procaine, lidocaine etc are hydrolyzed

CYCLIZATION

Ø This is formation of ring structure from a straight chain compound.

Ø Ex- proguanil

DECYCLIZATION

Ø This is opening up of ring structure of the cyclic drug molecule.

Ø Ex- phenytoin, barbiturates etc.

 

PHASE 2 REACTIONS

If metabolites from phase 1 are still too lipophilic they can undergo conjugation reaction which involves addition of a polar group.

GLUCURONIDE CONJUGATION

Ø Compounds with a hydroxyl or carboxylic acid group are easily conjugated with glucuronic acid.

Ø Ex- chloramphenicol, aspirin, paracetamol, morphine, metronidazole etc.

Ø Glucuronidation increases the molecular weight of the drug which favours it’s excretion in bile.

ACETYLATION

Ø Compounds having amino or hydrazine residues are conjugated with the help of acetyl coenzyme-A

Ø Ex- sulfonamides, isoniazide, hydralazine, clonazepam, procainamide etc.

METHYLATION

Ø The amines and phenols can be methylated.

Ø Ex- adrenaline, histamine, nicotinic acid, methyl dopa, captopril, etc.

SULFATE CONJUGATION

Ø The phenolic compounds and steroids are sulfated by sulfotransferase.

Ø Ex- chloramphenicol, methyl dopa, sex steroids etc.

GLYCINE CONJUGATION

Ø Drugs having carboxylic acid group are conjugated with glycine.

Ø Ex- salicylates

 

4.  EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS FACTORS AFFECTING THE DOSE AND ACTION OF DRUGS.

ANS:

A variety of host and environmental factors affect the drug response. Hence knowing various factors modifying drug action is essential as it will help in deciding proper desired drug effects with the optimum dosage of drugs.

 

The important factors which modify the effect of a drug are :

ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION

Ø Bioavailability of a particular drug when given through IV route is greater than the bioavailability of that particular drug when given through oral route. So when a drug is given through IV route shows better action.

Ø A drug may have entirely different uses through different routes.

Ex- Magnesium sulfate when given orally causes purgation but when given intravenously it produces hypotension.

CUMULATION

Ø Accumulation of a drug in the body following its repeated administration is termed as cumulation. So if rate of administration is more than the rate of elimination, then the drug will accumulate in the body. Hence slowly eliminated drugs produce cumulative toxicity.

Ø Ex- prolonged use of chloroquine causes retinal damage.

Ø Sometimes cumulative effect is desired.

Ex- Phenobarbitone in the treatment of epilepsy.

AGE

Ø The newborn has low glomerular filtration rate and tubular transport is immature.

Ø Similarly, hepatic drug metabolizing system is not properly developed in newborns. Infants below one year are devoid of enzymes that metabolize drugs.

Ø Drug absorption may also be altered in newborns because of lower gastric acidity.

Ø Similarly, in geriatric patients (older patients), administered drug dosages should be selected carefully due to their inability to metabolize drugs.

Ø The dosage of children is calculated on the basis of their age.

 

 

YOUNG’S FORMULA

Child Dose= (Age/Age+12) X Adult Dose

 

DILLING’S FORMULA

Child Dose= (Age/20) X Adult Dose

GENDER

Ø Generally, males weigh more than females. So females get lesser dose than males.

Ø Females have a higher percent of body fat than males which can affect the volume of distribution of certain drugs.

Ø In women consideration must be given to menstruation, pregnancy and lactation. For example drugs having strong stimulant effect on uterus or foetus should not be given to menstruating and pregnant ladies.

Ø Drugs like morphine can cross the placental barrier and depresses the foetal respiration. So morphine should be avoided during pregnancy.

BODY WEIGHT

Ø The average adult dose refers to individuals of medium built (adult weighing between 50-100 Kg.).

Ø So for obese or lean individuals and for children dose can be calculated on body weight basis.

 

Dose= (Body Weight in Kg/70) X Adult Dose

GENETIC FACTOR

Ø Some patients are unable to metabolize certain medicines because of the absence of certain enzymes required for their metabolism. Absence of certain enzymes in some individual is the result of lack of specific genes encoding them from their genetic set up.

Ø Deficiency of enzyme ‘Glucose-6 Phosphate dehydrogenase’ cannot metabolize primaquin in some individuals.

PRESENCE OF FOOD

Ø Sometimes presence or absence of food in GIT can modify the drug absorption process.

Ø Example

Milk decreases the absorption of Tetracyclin.

Fat increases the absorption of Griseofluvin.

DISEASE

Ø In liver disease first pass metabolism of some drugs will be reduced. So the bioavailability of drugs having high first pass metabolism will be increased and that will produce toxicity.

Ø In some gastrointestinal disease, the absorption of some orally administered drugs can be altered.

METABOLISM

Ø If a drug undergoes first pass metabolism the concentration of that drug is generally reduced before it reaches the systemic circulation. That’s why it shows less action. If the drug will be administered in ways to bypass first pass metabolism then the drug will show good efficacy.

Ø Metabolic disturbance in one’s body can drastically affect drug action. Changes in physiological factors such as water balance, body temperature, electrolyte balance also modify the drug effects.

Ø Example- in case of iron deficiency anaemia, absorption of iron from the gastrointestinal tract is maximum.

RACE (ETHNICITY)

Ø Ethnic differences in drug response may be due to the interaction of genetic factors and the environmental factors. It also depends on the pathogenesis of the disease.

Ø So different race require different dose of a particular drug.

Ø Example- Blacks require higher and Mongols require lower concentration of atropine and ephedrine to dilate their pupil.

RATE OF ABSORPTION

Ø The rate of drug absorption determines the onset of action.

Ø Drugs which are highly lipid soluble are absorbed fast and will show better action than polar drugs.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR

Ø Efficacy of a drug can be affected by patient’s attitude and expectations.

Ø Placebo effect: Placebo is an inert substance. It works by psychological rather than pharmacological means and often produces responses equivalent to the active drug.

Ø Nocebo effect: It refers to negative psychodynamic effect evoked by loss of faith in the medication or the doctor. Nocebo effect can oppose the therapeutic effect of active medication.

TIME OF ADMINISTRATION

Ø Effects of some drug may be influenced by the setup in which it is taken.

Ø Example: Hypnotics taken at night and in quiet atmosphere may work more easily.

EFFECT OF OTHER DRUGS

Ø ADDICTIVE EFFECT: when the total pharmacological effect of two drugs administered together is equal to the sum of their individual pharmacological effects, the phenomenon is called addictive effect.

2+2=4

Example: Ephedrine and aminophylline show addictive effect in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Ø SYNERGICTIC EFFECT: It is the result of two or more drugs interacting together to produce an effect that is greater than the cumulative effect that those drugs produce when used individually.

2+2=10

Example: Codeine and aspirin as analgesic.

Ø ANTAGONISTIC EFFECT: It is defined as the opposite actions of two drugs on the same physiological system.

2+2=0

Example: Protamine reverses the action of heparin.

TOLERANCE

Ø On repeated administration, some drugs may prove to be ineffective at the usual therapeutic dose.

Ø That’s why progressive increase in the dose is required to produce the desired effect. This phenomenon is known as drug tolerance.

Ø Example- When Morphine or Alcohol is used for a long time, larger and larger doses must be taken to produce the same effect.

  

5.  DEFINE CHOLINERGIC DRUGS. CLASSIFY IT WITH SUITABLE SUITABLE EXAMPLES. GIVE A NOTE ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF ACETYLCHOLINE.

ANS:

CHOLINERGIC DRUGS

These are drugs which produce actions similar to that of ACh, either by directly interacting with cholinergic receptors (cholinergic agonists) or by increasing availability of ACh by destroying cholinestesase (anti cholinesterases).

CLASSIFICATION

1.    CHOLINERGIC AGONISTS

A.  CHOLINE ESTERS: Acetylcholine, Methacholine, Carbachol, Bethanechol

B.   ALKALOIDS: Pilocarpine, Arecoline

2.    ANTICHOLINESTERASES

A.  REVERSIBLE

I.                  CARBAMATES: Physostigmine, Neostigmine, Pyridostigmine, Edrophonium, Rivastigmine, Donepezil, Galantamine

II.               ACRIDINE: Tacrine

B.   IRREVERSIBLE

I.                  ORGANOPHOSPHATES: Dyflos, Echothiophate, Parathion, Malathion, Diazinon

II.               CARBAMATES: Carbaryl, Propoxur

 

ACETYLCHOLINE

Acetylcholine is the physiological neurotransmitter at ANS ganglia, postganglionic parasympathetic nerve ending and neuromuscular junction.

Acetylcholine has two types of receptors such as muscarinic and nicotinic.

SYNTHESIS, STORAGE, RELEASE & DESTRUCTION OF ACETYLCHOLINE

Ø Choline, from ECF (extra cellular fluid) enters into the axoplasm or choline obtained from the degradation of ACh in the synaptic cleft is recycled and enters the axoplasm.

Within the neuron, choline conjugates with Acetyl CoA and acetylcholine is formed.

Ø After being synthesized, the ACh molecules are stored in the synaptic vesicles.

Ø When an action potential develops in the axon, it causes calcium ions enter into the axon and as a result the vesicles burst releasing ACh.

Ø Then ACh binds to its receptors and shows action. ACh is destroyed by hydrolysis by the enzyme cholinesterase.

Ø Then choline is recycled and taken up by the cholinergic neuron to form ACh again.


PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF ACETYLCHOLINE:

MUSCARINIC ACTION:

ON HEART

It acts on muscarinic receptors of SA node & AV node and produces bradycardia (decreased heart rate).

It also acts on atrial muscle and weakens atrial muscular contractility.

Ventricular contractility is also decreased but the effect is not marked.

ON BLOOD VESSELS

On the endothelial cells of the arterioles, there are ACh receptors but these receptors are not connected with any parasympathetic nerve. Therefore parasympathetic stimulation doesn’t have any effect on blood vessels.

But IV administration of ACh causes pronounced vasodilation and fall of blood pressure by combining with ACh receptors of endothelial cells.

ON SMOOTH MUSCLES

Smooth muscles in most organs are contracted by ACh.

GIT muscles contract, Salivary glands secret, Urinary bladder contract, Bronchial muscles constrict.

ON GLANDS

Secretion from all parasympathetically innervated glands is increased.

Ex- Salivation, Gastric secretion etc.

The effect on pancreatic gland and intestinal gland is not marked.

ON EYE

Miosis (constriction of pupil), fall of IOP (Intraocular Pressure) occur.

NICOTINIC ACTION:

AUTONOMIC GANGLIA

Both sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia are stimulated.

High doses of ACh given after atropine causes tachycardia and rise in BP.

SKELETAL MUSCLES

Application of ACh to muscle end plate causes muscle contaction

ON CNS

ACh injected intravenously doesn’t penetrate Blood-Brain-Barrier and no central effects are seen.

However, direct injection into the brain, produce a complex pattern of stimulation followed by depression.

 

USES

Choline esters are rarely, if ever, clinically used.

ACh is not used because of nonselective action and it is affected by rapid hydrolysis by cholinesterase.

 

6.  WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY SYMPATHOMIMETICS AND PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS? CLASSIFY ANTI-CHOLINERGIC DRUGS. DISCUSS PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF ATROPINE ON EYE, CVS, GLANDS AND SMOOTH MUSCLES.

ANS:

SYMPATHOMIMETICS

These are agents which stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.

PARASYMPATHOMIMETICS

These are agents which stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system.

 

ANTICHOLINERGIC DRUGS

Anticholinergic drugs are those which block actions of ACh on autonomic effector organs.

Though nicotinic antagonists also block certain actions of ACh, they are generally referred to as ‘ganglionic blockers’ and ‘neuromuscular blockers’.

CLASSIFICATION

1.    Natural alkaloids: Atropine, Hyoscine (scopolamine).

2.    Semisynthetic derivatives: Homatropine, Atropine methonitrate, Hyoscine butyl bromide, Ipratropium bromide, Tiotropium bromide.

3.    Synthetic compounds

a.     Mydriatics: Cyclopentolate, Tropicamide.

b.    Antisecretory-antispasmodics

i.                   Quaternary compounds: Propantheline, Oxyphenonium, Clidinium, Pipenzolate methlybromide, Isopropamide, Glycopyrrolate.

ii.                Tertiary amines: Dicyclomine, Valethamate, Pirenzepine.

c.     Vasicoselective: Oxybutynin, Flavoxate, Tolterodine.

d.    Antiparkinsonian: Trihexyphenidyl (Benzhexol), Procyclidine, Biperiden.

ATROPINE

Atropine, the prototype drug of this class, is highly selective for muscarinic receptors, however some of its synthetic substitutes do possess significant nicotinic blocking property.

Atropine binds to the muscarinic receptors. So muscarinic receptors are occupied by atropine. That’s why ACh can not bind to muscarinic receptors.

Atropine is a reversible inhibitor of ACh or muscarinic antagonist.

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OFATROPINE:

HEART

The prominent action of atropine is to cause tachycardia. Atropine abolishes the effect of parasympathetic agents on heart rate.

Therefore atropine increases the heart rate and improves the atrioventricular conduction by blocking the parasympathetic influences on the heart.

EYE

On local instillation, atropine causes pupillary dilation (Mydriasis), by blocking the cholinergic nerve supply.

The ciliary smooth muscles are paralyzed by atropine which causes increase in focal length of the lens.

SMOOTH MUSCLES

All visceral smooth muscles that receive parasympathetic motor supply are relaxed by atropine.

Atropine relaxes smooth muscles of bronchi.

Atropine reduces tone and motility of GIT.

GLANDS

Atropine reduces the secretion of exocrine glands.

Atropine may block watery salivary secretion induced by parasympathetic stimulation.

Atropine also reduces gastric secretion and it has little effect on pancreatic and intestinal secretions.

Atropine can reduce the secretion of sweat as well.

 

BODY TEMPERATURE

Atropine causes rise in body temperature at higher doses due to both inhibition of sweating as well as stimulation of temperature regulating centre in the hypothalamus.

LOCAL ANAESTHETICS

Atropine has a mild anaesthetic action on the cornea.

 

ADVERSE EFFECTS

1.    Dryness of mouth, difficulty in swallowing

2.    Blurry vision

3.    Constipation

4.    Allergic reactions

THERAPEUTIC USES

1.    As an antispasmodic in gastrointestinal colic (cramp like pain in small or large intestine).

2.    It is used for treating peptic ulcer.

3.    It is used as an pre-anaesthetic medication.

4.    It is used in the treatment of Parkinson.

 


7.  DEFINE ADRENERGIC DRUGS & CLASSIFY THEM. DESCRIBE ABOUT PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION, ADVERSE EFFECT AND USE OF ADRENALINE.

ANS:

ADRENERGIC DRUGS

These are drugs that stimulate sympathetic nerves in our body. They do this either by mimicking the action of the neurotransmitters adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) or by stimulating their release.

These drugs are otherwise known as sympathomimetic drugs.

CLASSIFICATION

1.    DIRECT ACTING: Adrenaline, Noradrenaline, Isoproterenol, Dopamine, Phenyl ephrine, Dobutamine, Clonidine, Metaproterenol, Albuterol.

2.    INDIRECT ACTING:

A.  Releasing Agents: Tyramine, Amphetamine.

B.   Uptake Inhibitor: Cocaine

3.    MIXED ACTING: Ephedrine, Metaraminol.

Direct acting agents combine directly with adrenergic receptors and produce effects.

Indirect acting agents are taken up by the presynaptic neuron and cause release of NA from the presynaptic neuron or they inhibit the reuptake of NA in the synapse.

Mixed acting agents can combine directly with the adrenergic receptors as well as they can be taken up by the presynaptic neuron to cause release of  NA.

 

ADRENALINE

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is a neurotransmitter and a drug as well.

Adrenaline is produced both by adrenal glands and  a small number of neurons.

It plays an important role in the sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight response) by binding to adrenergic receptors (alpha & beta).

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF ADRENALINE

HEART

Adrenaline causes cardiac stimulation. Both cardiac contractility and heart rate are raised (tachycardia).

Because of its cardiostimulatory action, adrenaline causes increased demand of oxygen and thus can precipitate an anginal attack in susceptible patients.

Adrenaline also increases susceptibility to ventricular fibrillation in persons suffering from ischemic heart disease.

EYE

Mydriasis occurs due to contraction of radial muscle of iris.

Adrenaline has complex effects on aqueous humor. Aqueous humor production is reduced by adrenaline.

GIT

In GIT relaxation occurs through activation of both Alpha and Beta receptors.

Peristalsis is reduced and sphincters are constricted, but the effects are brief and has no clinical importance.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Adrenaline causes relaxation of bronchial muscle (Bronchodilation).

Adrenaline can directly stimulate respiratory centre but this action is rarely shown at clinically used doses.

Toxic doses of adrenaline causes pulmonary edema.

METABOLIC

Adrenaline produces glycogenolysis (conversion of glycogen to glucose).

Adrenaline also causes lipolysis which leads to rise in plasma free fatty acid.

ADVERSE EFFECTS

1.    Palpitation, anxiety, tremor may occur after IM injection.

2.    Rise in blood pressure leading to cerebral haemorrhage, tachycardia may occur after IV injection.

3.    Sweating, Dizziness Etc. may occur

THERAPEUTIC USES

1.    Adrenaline is used in the treatment of cardiac arrest.

2.    It is used to treat severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)

3.    It can be used in the treatment of bradycardia.

 

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