Misc. drugs term 1

Question 1

Gabapentin

Answer 1

• antiepileptic drug
• suppresses glutamate and substance P (both important in pain transmission) changing GABA receptors
• decreases acute post-op pain
• high doses can decrease chronic and neuropathic pain but start out low and increase until an appropriate dose is found
• avoid giving liquid formula because it has xylitol which is bad for animals because causes liver toxicity

Question 2

Ketamine

Answer 2

• NMDA receptor antagonist
• racemic mixture with S= better analgesic
• inhibits all synaptic actions of excitatory neurotransmitters ACh and L-glutamate in spinal cord
• inhibits NMDA receptors in CNS
• metabolized in liver to norketamine which is less potent
• potent so need low doses for analgesia
• imporved opioid efficacy and therefore decreases opioid requirements and side effects
• good for mild to severe pain
• good for somatic but not visceral pain (not good for post op from spays but good for limb fractures)
• used in combination and administered IM, IV, SQ as CRI

Question 3

Amantadine

Answer 3

• anti-parkinsons and NMDA receptor antagonist

- mostly used for humans but can be used for chronic pain in dogs and cats

Question 4

Amitriptyline*

Answer 4

• -serotonin and norepi reuptake inhibitor (dual inhibitor)
• some NMDA receptor antagonism
• behavioural modification; some use in dogs and cats

Question 5

Clomipramine

Answer 5

• serotonin reuptake inhibitor
• a1 receptor antagonist
• behavior modification
• high chance of side effects (sedation)
• be careful with drug interactions

Question 6

Glucosamine Hydrochloride (Glucosamine)

Answer 6

• PSGAGs
• oral chondroprotective
• glucosamine is an amino sugar. in the cell it stimulates chrondrocytes to secrete increased amount of normal collagen and proteoglycans.
  
  • gives building blocks to make more cartilage and increase its strength
• there is evidence that it slows down degradation and builds cartilage but not sure if it actually helps…

Question 7

Chondroitin Sulfate (Chondroitin)

Answer 7

• PSGAGs
• oral chondroprotective
• inhibits cartilage breakdown
• primarily from shark cartilage (6)
• in the cell it inhibits action of metalloproteases (enzyme that breaks down cartilage) in cartilage matrix
• (4) is derived from mammalian tissue. it binds to collagen, contributing to resiliency and water holding properties of cartilage
• prevents damage if it is added to animal as it ages

Question 8

Hyaluronan (hyaluronate/hyaluronic acid)

Answer 8

• normally found in synovial fluid
• nonsulfated glucosamineglycan
• antiinflammatory properties
• direct chrondroprotective effect
• not absorbed well orally (so gets injected right into joint esp with horses
• also given IV (not as good as injecting into joints)

Question 9

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Answer 9

• structurally related to DMSO but behaves differently
• enhances the structural integrity of connective tissue and reduce scar tissue by altering cross linkages which contribute to scar formation
• has powerful anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties

Question 10

Dimethylglycine (DMG)

Answer 10

• nutriceutical
• performance enhancer
• supposed to improve lactic acid metabolism
• raises seizure threshold
• mainly used in horses
• post exercise pain releif

Question 11

Glycoflex III

Answer 11

glycoflex + glucosamine + MSM

• also contained DMG, vitamines C and E, manganeses, grape seed extract and L Glutathione
• has antiinflammatory/ antioxidant properties

Question 12

Omega 3 fatty acids

Answer 12

• prevent and slow progression of osteoarthritis
• omega 3 and 6 are converted to PG through the AA pathway
• PG are more anti-inflammatory than omega 6
• this overwhelmes the system with omega 3 so there is decreased production of omega 6, which have more inflammatory properties

Question 13

capsaicin

Answer 13

• equine product - not approved drug!
• jalepeno pepper extract
• used topically
• prolonges the activation of receptors, causing down regulation of the receptors
• depletes substance P with chronic use