Difference between revisions of "Local Anaesthetics"
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(New page: ==Mechanism of Action== ==Pharmacokinetic Considerations== ==Side Effects and Contraindications== ==Drugs in this Group==) |
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==Mechanism of Action== | ==Mechanism of Action== | ||
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| + | Local anaethetic drugs reversibly interfere with action potential generation and conduction in the neurons around which they are administered. To reach the neuronal plasma membrane where they act, local anaethetic drugs must first enter the nerve sheath. Only molecules lacking ionic charge may do this, and so local anaesthetic agents work more effectively in an alkaline pH when charge is neutral. Once inside the sheath, the drug gains charge and can then bind to voltage-gated Na<sup>+</sup> channels, preventing depolarisation of the cell. Local anaesthetics also infiltrate and change the composition of the cell membrane to take effect. | ||
==Pharmacokinetic Considerations== | ==Pharmacokinetic Considerations== | ||
Revision as of 17:44, 25 February 2009
Mechanism of Action
Local anaethetic drugs reversibly interfere with action potential generation and conduction in the neurons around which they are administered. To reach the neuronal plasma membrane where they act, local anaethetic drugs must first enter the nerve sheath. Only molecules lacking ionic charge may do this, and so local anaesthetic agents work more effectively in an alkaline pH when charge is neutral. Once inside the sheath, the drug gains charge and can then bind to voltage-gated Na+ channels, preventing depolarisation of the cell. Local anaesthetics also infiltrate and change the composition of the cell membrane to take effect.