Norepinephrine adverse effects

Atomoxetine increases the brain concentrations of norepinephrine. Adverse effects (constipation, dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, decreased appetite, insomnia, chest pain, palpitations, anxiety, erectile dysfunction, mood swings, nervousness and urinary retention) are more common in poor metabolizers of CYP2D6, as atomoxetine is metabolized through the cytochrome CYP2D6 pathway. 

Tricyclic antidepressants are used for treatment of chronic pain. The mechanism of action supposedly is related to their activity at the sodium channel. It also is hypothesized that tricyclic antidepressants affect norepinephrine release and, possibly, serotonin release, thereby altering spinothalamic transmission of pain. However patients who require higher doses often find that the pain relief obtained is not adequate to justify the adverse effects. 

This is the most widely prescribed group of antidepressant drugs, essentially because of their safety in overdose and their relative lack of adverse effects in comparison to the tricyclic antidepressants. They are all inhibitors of reuptake of 5-HT with no significant effect on reuptake of noradrenaline (norepinephrine). The different potencies of the drugs currently available are illustrated in Table 10.5, together with details of other aspects of their pharmacology. 

Phentolamine is a potent competitive antagonist at both K and k2 receptors (Table 10-1). Phentolamine reduces peripheral resistance through blockade of K receptors and possibly k2 receptors on vascular smooth muscle. Its cardiac stimulation is due to antagonism of presynaptic k2 receptors (leading to enhanced release of norepinephrine from sympathetic nerves) and sympathetic activation from baroreflex mechanisms. Phentolamine also has minor inhibitory effects at serotonin receptors and agonist effects at muscarinic and Hi and H2 histamine receptors. Phentolamine s principal adverse effects are related to cardiac stimulation, which may cause severe tachycardia, arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemia. Phentolamine has been used in the treatment of pheochromocytoma. Unfortunately oral and intravenous formulations of phentolamine are no longer consistently available in the United States. 

SNRIs are chemically unrelated to each other. Venlafaxine was discovered in the process of evaluating chemicals that inhibit binding of imipramine. Venlafaxine s in vivo effects are similar to those of imipramine but with a more favorable adverse-effect profile. All SNRIs bind the serotonin (SERT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters, as do the TCAs. However, unlike the TCAs, the SNRIs do not have much affinity for other receptors. Venlafaxine and desvenlafaxine are bicyclic compounds, whereas duloxetine is a three-ring structure unrelated to the TCAs. Milnacipran contains a cyclopropane ring and is provided as a racemic mixture. 

The first-generation antidepressants demonstrate varying degrees of selectivity for the reuptake pumps for norepinephrine and serotonin (Table 30-3). They also have numerous autonomic actions, as described below under Adverse Effects. 

Venlafaxine is a potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake and a weaker inhibitor of norepinephrine transport such that at lower therapeutic doses it behaves like an SSRI. At high doses (more than 225 mg/d) it produces mild to moderate increases of heart rate and blood pressure attributable to norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. Doses in the range of 300 mg/d or greater may confer broader therapeutic effects than SSRIs, but a careful titration up to these doses is needed to control adverse effects. 

The antidepressant effect of thymoleptics manifests after a prolonged latency usually 1-3 weeks pass before subjective or objective improvement becomes noticeable (A). In contrast, somatic effects are immediately evident specifically, the interference with neuronal transmitter/modulator systems (norepinephrine, serotonin, acetylcholine, histamine, dopamine). Reuptake of released serotonin, norepinephrine, or both is impaired (—< elevated concentration in synaptic cleft) and/or receptors are blocked (example in A). These effects are demonstrable in animal studies and are the cause of acute adverse effects. 

SSRIs ATOMOXETINE t plasma concentrations and risk of adverse effects (abdominal pain, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, irritability) Atomoxetine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, t plasma concentrations due to inhibition of CYP2D6 by fluoxetine and paroxetine (potent), fluvoxamine and sertraline (less potent) and escitalopram and citalopram (weak) Avoid concurrent use. The interaction is usually severe with fluoxetine and paroxetine... 

Cocaine (alkaloid) is used medicinally solely as a surface anaesthetic (for abuse toxicity, see p. 192) usually as a 4% solution, because adverse effects are both common and dangerous when it is injected. Even as a surface anaesthetic sufficient absorption may take place to cause serious adverse effects and cases continue to be reported only specialists should use it and the dose must be checked and restricted. Cocaine prevents the uptake of catecholamines [adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine)] into S5nnpathetic nerve endings, thus increasing their concentration at receptor sites, so that cocaine has a built-in vasoconstrictor action, which is why it retains a (declining) place as a... 

Pancuronium can be administered i.v. during general anesthesia at a dose rate of 0.08 mg/kg (Muir Hubbell 1989). If used appropriately, adverse effects are rare. Pancuronium and vecuronium produce minimal cardiovascular effects, although pancuronium can potentially stimulate the release of norepinephrine (noradrenaline), resulting in increased heart rate and blood pressure. Horses with pre-existing cardiovascular disease may develop hypotension. Atracurium... 

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