BIMM118 – Final Answers
1. Explain the mechanism behind the synergistic analgesic effect between NSAIDs
and opioids!
NSAIDS and Opioids produce analgesia through two different mechanisms
leading to a synergistic analgesic effect.
NSAIDS act via their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) and therefore
prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins sensitize pain receptors;
therefore, NSAIDs have an indirect analgesic effect by ‘desensitizing’ pain
receptors.
Opiods are opiate receptor agonists. Opioid analgesia is mediated through
changes in the perception of pain at the spinal cord and higher levels in the
CNS. Their pain-reducing effect is caused by their inhibitory effects on the
transmission of the action potential elicited by the pain receptors.
2. The primary disadvantage to using nitrous oxide as a general anaesthetic is:
a. Prolonged recovery due to retention in fat
b. Slow induction
c. Low potency
d. Poor analgesic
e. Excessive relaxation of skeletal muscle
3. Which of the following strategies is used to treat Parkinson’s disease?
a. Increasing acetylcholine levels in the CNS
b. Decreasing acetylcholine levels in the CNS
c. Increasing dopamine levels in the CNS
d. Inhibiting dopamine carboxylase levels in the blood
e. Increasing cAMP levels in the CNS
4. When a loading dose is administered, the initial drug concentration is dependent
on which of the following?
a. Elimination rate constant
b. Drug half-life
c. Volume of distribution
d. Clearance
e. Metabolism
f. Amount of drug administered
5. Provide an example of a food-drug interaction! Explain the underlying
mechanism!
Tyramine – Cheese reaction
Grapefruit inhibition of P450 – many drugs
Milk - Tetracycline
