drugs affecting the nervous system

Drugs Affecting the

Nervous System

Jane Bordner, Rn BSN

Instructor of Nursing

HACC Central Pennsylvania’s

Community College

Nursing 102Fall 2012

Nervous System Review

• 2 Major divisions–CNS–PNS

The Central and Autonomic Nervous Systems

• Central nervous system (CNS)– Made up of brain and spinal cord– Receives signals from sensory

receptors (vision, pressure, pain, cold, warmth, touch, smell)

The Central and Autonomic Nervous Systems

• PNS• 2 Divisions

– Somatic- voluntary-conscious control– Autonomic- involuntary-unconscious control

• Sympathetic- fight or flight epinephrine/norepinephrine

• Parasympathetic- rest or digest• acteylocholine

• 2 Types of Nerves– Afferent – to the brain– Efferent-from sensory organs

The Central and Autonomic Nervous Systems (cont’d)

• Peripheral nervous system– Afferent nerves—transmit signals to

the spinal cord and brain– Efferent nerves—carry impulses from

CNS to other parts of body.

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

• 2 systems often have opposing functions

• Stimulate or inhibit

• Most organ are innervated by both

Autonomic Nervous System

• Sympathetic - Adrenergic

• “Fight or Flight”

Sympathetic Nervous System

Autonomic Nervous System• Parasympathetic - Cholinergic• “Rest and Digest”

ParasympatheticNervous System

Synapses

Neurotransmitters

1. Message travels along nerve; when it approaches nerve ending a neurotransmitter is released 2. Neurotransmitter is received by next cell 3. Some of neurotransmitter gets reabsorbed 4. When enough neurotransmitter is received by

next nerve cell message moves forward

Biochemical Response

Messenger Molecule(hormone, neurotransmitter, or drug)

Cell surface Cell surface

Sympathetic

• Major Neurotransmitters (Catecholamines) – Epinephrine– Norepinephrine– Dopamine

Effects of Sympathetic System

• Increase heart rate• Relax bronchial smooth muscles • Pupil dilation• Increased metabolism• Decreased GI motility• Peripheral vasoconstriction

Neuroreceptors

• Alpha 1: vasoconstriction of arterioles, relax bladder, eyes, liver

• Alpha 2: skeletal blood vessels, pancreas• Beta 1: AV and SA node stimulation =

increased heart rate and contraction strength

• Beta 2: relaxes smooth muscle of bronchi and uterus

• Dopaminergic

Sympathetic Neurotransmitters

• Act on alpha, beta, or dopaminergic receptor sites

• Example:– Alpha 1 receptors are found in

peripheral blood vessels, when stimulated they cause peripheral vasoconstriction which leads to increased BP

Parasympathetic Activity

• Major Neurotransmitter (Cholinergic) –Acetylcholine

Parasympathetic Neuroreceptors

• Cholinergic receptors– Muscarinic

• Both excitation and inhibition–Salivation –Lacrimation –Gastric acid secretion

• Slow onset– Nicotinic

• Excitation• Fast onset• Short duration

Parasympathetic Effects

• Decrease heart rate• Constrict bronchial smooth

muscle• Pupil constriction• Increased GI motility• Increased secretions• Increased bladder tone

Alpha Beta

1 2 1 2

Muscarinic Nicotinic

Drug Effects

• Drug effect depends on:– Specific receptor it

interacts with– Number of receptors– Type of receptors– Drug specificity

• Antagonist = Block • Agonist = Stimulate

Drug Effects

• Imitate neurotransmitters’ action• Block neurotransmitters’ action• Enhance or inhibit

– synthesis – storage – release – breakdown

Drug Categories

• ANS drugs are categorized by– Site of action– Effect– Receptor

Drug Categories

• Sympathomimetics– Adrenergics

• Sympatholytics– Adrenergic blockers

• Parasympathomimetics– Cholinergics

• Parasympatholytics– Cholinergic blockers

SYMPATHOMIMETICS AKAADRENERGIC AGENTS

Sympathomimetics/ Adrenergic Agents

• Catecholamines• Noncatecholamines• Primary Actions

– Increase heart rate– Increase BP– Relax bronchial smooth muscle– Relax GI tract– Coronary artery vasodilation– Peripheral vascular vasoconstriction

Catecholamines

• Stimulate alpha and beta receptors• Mimic action of epinephrine,

norepinephrine, and dopamine• Examples:

– dobutamine HCL (Dobutrex, Intropin, Dopastat )

– Epinephrine (Adrenalin, EpiPen )– Norepinephrine (Levophed)– isoproterenol HCL (Isuprel)

Catecholamines

• Uses– Severe hypotensive crisis– Cardiac arrest– Anaphylactic shock

• Special considerations– Destroyed by digestive enzymes

“Cat”echolamines

• Side Effects–Severe throbbing headache–Dizziness–Anxiety–Fear–Palpitations–Hypertension

Noncatecholamines

• Similar responses• More receptor selective• Slower acting• Longer lasting• Can be given PO• Usually given SC or by

inhaler

Noncatecholamines• Examples

– albuterol (Proventil)– metaproterenol sulfate (Alupent)– terbutaline (Brethine)– phenylephrine HCL (Neo-

Synephrine)• Uses

– Bronchospasm (Asthma/Emphysema)

– Nasal congestion– Preterm labor

Bronchoconstriction

Noncatecholamines

• Side Effects– Tachycardia– Palpitations– Tremors – Hypertension– Headache– Anxiety

Adrenergic Agents

• Nursing Measures– Monitor VS frequently– Monitor breath sounds– Monitor blood glucose in Diabetic

SYMPATHOLYTICSAKAADRENERGIC BLOCKERS

Adrenergic Blocking Agents

• AKA– Sympatholytics– Antiadrenergics

• Antagonistic effect• Classified by site of action

– Alpha Adrenergic Blockers– Beta Adrenergic Blockers

Alpha Adrenergic Blocking Agents

• Action– Relax smooth muscle – Peripheral vasodilation

• Uses– Antihypertensives– Vascular H/A– Raynaud’s Disease– Buerger’s Disease

Alpha Adrenergic Blocking Agents• Side Effects

– Hypotension– Tachycardia– Dizziness– H/A

• Nursing Actions– Postural BP– Teach to avoid caffeine

Alpha Adrenergic Blocking Agents

• Examples– ergotamine tartrate (Ergostat)

• Inhaler, PO or SL• Treat migraine H/A

– phenoxybenzamine HCL (Dibenzyline)• Antihypertensive• Treat Raynaud’s Disease

– doxazosin mesylate (Cardura)– prazosin HCL (Minipress)– terazosin (Hytrin)

• Arteriole and venous vasodilation lower BP

Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents

• AKA– Beta Blockers

• Most widely used group• Beta 1 receptors = heart• Beta 2 receptors = bronchi and blood

vessels• Mixed = Nonselective blocking agents


• Effect– Lower HR– Decrease BP– Constrict pupil– Decrease

production of aqueous humor

• Uses– Cardiac

Arrhythmias– HTN– Angina– Glaucoma

Beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents• Mixed

– *labetalol (Normodyne)

• Selective Beta-1– esmolol (Brevibloc)– *metoprolol

(Lopressor/Toprol XL/Betaloc )

– acebutolol (Sectral)– betaxolol (Kerlone)– bisoprolol (Zebeta)– *atenolol (Tenormin)

• Non-selective Beta-1 and Beta-2– *propranolol

(Inderal)– *nadolol (Corgard)– pindolol (Visken)– carteolol (Cartrol )– *sotalol (Betapace)– Timolol

(Blocadren/Timoptic )

– penbutolol (Levatol)* Most commonly used


• Treatment of Glaucoma– Decrease IOP by decreasing

production of aqueous humor• betaxolol (Betoptic)• timolol maleate (Timoptic)• levobunolol HCL (Betagan)

– Can cause systemic side effects


• Side Effects– Hypotension– Bradycardia– Dizziness– Insomnia– Wheezing and Bronchospasm


• Nursing Measures– Never give with antacid– Check apical pulse for one

minute before administering– Closely monitor blood glucose

in diabetic pt.– Teach pt. to not discontinue

abruptly

PARASYMPATHOMIMETICSAKACHOLINERGICS

Cholinergic Agents• AKA

– Parasympathomimetic

• Promotes/mimics– function of acetylcholine

• Stimulate cholinergic receptors– nicotinic and muscarinic

• Imitate parasympathetic effects

Cholinergic Agents

• Uses– Glaucoma– Paralytic ileus– Urinary retention– Diagnosis and treatment of Myasthenia Gravis

(MG)– Antidote for tricyclic antidepressant overdose– Antidote for neuromuscular blocking agent

overdose

Cholinergic Agents

• Examples– pilocarpine HCL - treatment of glaucoma– bethanechol (Urecholine) – treatment of

urinary retention and neurogenic bladder– neostigmine (Prostigmin), pyridostigmine

(Mestinon) – diagnosis and treatment of MG

Cholinergic Agents

• Side Effects– N/V/D– Bradycardia– Hypotension– Increased salivation and sweating– Bronchoconstriction = wheezing and

SOA

Cholinergic Agents

• Nursing Measures– Never given IM or IV– Antidote = Atropine sulfate

(Cholinergic Blocker)

PARASYMPATHOLYTICSAKACHOLINERGIC BLOCKERS

Cholinergic Blocking Agents

• AKA:– Anticholinergics – Parasympatholytics

• Actions– Compete with acetycholine at

muscarinic receptor sites– antagonists


• Effects– Decreased GI motility– Decreased secretions – Relax bladder muscle– Increased heart rate


• Uses– Parkinson’s Disease– Preanesthesia Agents– Cardiac Arrhythmias– Spastic conditions of bowel and

bladder

Cholinergic Blocking Agents• Examples

– Atropine sulfate • Preanesthesic • Emergency treatment of brady

arrythmias – glycopyrrolate (Robinul)

• Preanesthesic– dicyclomine HCL (Bentyl)

• Irritable bowel syndrome

Cholinergic Blocking Agents• Examples

– oxybutynin (Ditropan)• Bladder spasms

– propantheline (Pro-Banthine)• Peptic ulcer disease

– benztropine mesylate (Cogentin)• Extrapyramidal symptoms of

Parkinson’s


• Side Effects– Mild

• Dry mouth• Decreased sweating• Decreased bronchial secretions

– Moderate• Decreased accommodation

– Severe• Urinary retention• Severe constipation• Ileus


• Overdose– Restlessness– Disorientation– Hallucinations– Unconsciousness– Death


• Nursing Measures– Dose range is very small– Infants, children and elderly are more

prone to side effects– Heatstroke is potential complication– NEVER give to patient with glaucoma– Used to decrease GI motility, give 30

minutes before meals – Watch for urinary retention

NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENTS

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

• Relax skeletal muscles– Disrupt transmission of nerve impulses

at neuromuscular junction• Clinical Uses

– Relax muscles during surgery– Decrease muscle spasms during ECT– Manage ventilator patients


• Examples– pancuronium bromide (Pavulon)– doxacurium Cl (Nuromax)– succinylcholine Cl (Anectine)– vecuronium bromide (Norcuron)


• Side Effects– Excessive salivation– Excessive bronchial

secretions– Bronchospasm– Apnea– Hypotension


• Nursing Measures– O2 – Suction equipment – Artificial ventilation

AntiParkinson’s Medications

Parkinson’s Disease

• Neurotransmitters– Dopamine ( inhibitory)– Acetylcholine (excitatory)

• Types of parkinsoinsm– Primary (idiopathic)– Secondary (induced by head

trauma, infection, tumors, or drug exposure


• Goal of treatment is minimization of symptoms

• Individualized combination therapy

• Therapy begins when symptoms interfere with the ability to function in daily life

• All symptoms cannot be eliminated because of side effects involved

Parkinson’s Disease• Signs

– Facial appearance– Psychological involvement

• Symptoms– Motor function

• Tremor• Dyskinesia, propulsive, uncontrolled

movement• Bradykinesia, akinesia• Excessive salivation


• Dopamine agonists– Amantide hydrochloride– Bromocriptine mesylate– Carbidopa– Pergolide mesylate– Pramipexole– Ropinirole


• Anticholinergic Agents– Cogentin ( Benztropine mesylate)– Akineton ( Biperiden hydrochloride)– Benadryl (diphenhydramine

hydrochloride)– Banflex, Norflex (Orphenadrine

citrate)

ANTICONVULSANT MEDICATIONS

Types of seizures

• Generalized– Tonic-Clonic (grand mal)– Myoclonic– Absence (petite mal)

• Partial (localized)– Partial simple– Partial complex

• Status Epilepticus

Anticonvulsant Therapy (cont’d)

• Nurses may play an important role in diagnosis and treatment– Learn to take histories, describe

seizures, record postictal behavior– Identify a care plan, have proper

supplies, discuss with patient and family

– Learn to assist patient during seizures, observe and record, discuss lifestyle and feelings with patient

Anticonvulsant Medications• Agents

– Barbiturates– Benzodiazepines– Succinimides– Hydantoins– Miscellaneous Agents

• Action– Increase seizure threshold– Regulate firing by inhibiting excitation or

enhancing brains ability to inhibit its own excitation

Barbiturates

• phenobarbital (Luminal)–Action

• Increase seizure threshold• Prevent spread of electrical activity

–Uses• Partial seizures• Generalized clonic tonic seizures

Barbiturates

• Side Effects– Sedation– Nausea– Lethargy

• Nursing Measures– Monitor therapeutic blood levels– Monitor effectiveness– Monitor degree of sedation

Benzodiazepines

• Action– Enhance inhibitory effect– It is thought that they enhance the inhibitory

effects of GABA in postsynaptic clefts between nerve cells

• Drugs and Uses– diazepam (Valium) – acute status

epilepticus ;IV– lorazepam (Ativan) – status epilepticus– clonazepam (Klonopin) – absence and

myoclonic seizures– clorazepate (Tranxene) – adjunct treatment of

partial seizures

Benzodiazepines

• Side Effects– Drowsiness– Confusion– Weakness– Dizziness

• Adverse Effects– Blood dyscrasias– Hepatotoxicity

• Nursing Measures– Monitor CBC and

LFT’s

Succinimides

• Action– unknown

• Uses– Absence seizures– Petit mal

• Drugs– ethosuximide

(Zarontin)– Methsuximide

(Celontin)• Side Effects

– GI upset – Sedation

Hydantoins

• Action – Stabilizes nerve cells against hyperexcitability – Inhibits spread of seizure activity

• Uses– Partial and generalized seizures

• Drugs– phenytion (Dilantin)– fosphenytion (Cerebyx) – CAUTION: phenytoin (and diazepam) must be

administered slowly, and not mixed with other medications in the same syringe

Hydantoins

• Side Effects– GI upset– Sedation– Confusion– Gingival Hyperplasia

• Adverse Effects– Hyperglycemia– Blood Dyscrasias– Hepatotoxicity– Rashes and pruritus

Hydantoins

• Toxicity– Nausea– Sedation– Lethargy– Nystagmus

Hydantoins• Nursing Measures

– Monitor CBC, LFT’s, Blood Glucose and Therapeutic Blood Levels

– Good oral hygiene– Monitor effectiveness– Monitor for excessive sedation– Give with food– Give at same time each day

MISCELLANEOUS AGENTS

carbamzepine (Tegretol)– Action – Blocks up the reuptake of norepinephrine– Decreases release of norepinephrine and rate of

dopamine and GABA turnover– Mechanisms of action as anticonvulsant are

unknown• unknown

– Uses• Generalized tonic-clonic seizures• Partial and mixed seizures• Often used with other agents

– Side Effects• GI upset• Sedation• Edema

carbamazepine (Tegretol)

• Adverse Effects– Orthostatic hypotension– Hypertension– Dyspnea– Edema– Hepatotoxicity– Blood Dyscrasias– Rashes and pruritus

carbamazepine (Tegretol )• Nursing Measures

– Monitor CBC, LFT’s and therapeutic blood level

– Monitor BP– Give with food– Monitor seizure activity– Monitor for excessive sedation

valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene

–Action• May increase concentrations of GABA

–Uses• Absence seizures• Combination seizures

valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)

• Side Effects• Abdominal pain• Diarrhea• Dizziness• Drowsiness• Unusual bleeding

• Nursing Measures– CBC and platelet count before and 2 wks

after start of therapy– LFT’s before and every 6 months– Can cause birth defects

gabapentin (Neurotin)

• Uses– Partial seizures– In combination with other agents

• Side Effects– Sedation– Confusion

Other Miscellaneous Agents

• lamotrigine (Lamictal)• levetiracetam (Keppra)• primidone (Mysoine)• tiagabine (Gabatril)• oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)• topiramate (Topamax)• zonisamide (Zonegran)

Anticonvulsant Medications

• General Nursing Considerations– NEVER suddenly stop anticonvulsant

therapy– SEDATION is MOST common reason for

non-compliance with drug therapy– Driving

• Must be seizure free for 6 months• Physicians required to report seizures to

DOT

Alternative Therapy

• Ketogenic Diet– Most successful in children– Used for intractable epilepsy– High fat, low CHO, low protein– Limited fluids– Mechanism of action unknown– Nutritional supplementation of Ca+ and vitamins– Monitor ketones with every void– May not see response for 10 wks– May gradually wean from diet after seizures

controlled

Research• GABA

– Discovered in 1950• Chemical that maintains balance in brain’s delivery

system• Nerve cells communicate by releasing

neurotransmitters• GABA halts messages• Without GABA, system becomes overloaded and

seizures occur• New drug vigabatrin (Sabril ) has chemical structure

similar to GABA, ensuring GABA stays at level necessary to keep message delivery system functioning properly

drugs affecting the nervous system

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