Abstract Our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the action of general anaesthetics has increased considerably in recent times and is discussed below. This is followed by sections discussing intravenous…
Abstract α-Adrenoceptor antagonists (α-blockers) prevent the actions of sympathomimetic agents on α-adrenoceptors. Certain α-blockers (phentolamine, phenoxybenzamine) are non-specific and inhibit both α1– and α2-receptors, whereas others selectively inhibit α1-receptors (prazosin)…
Abstract Individual nerve fibres are made up of a central core (axoplasm) and a phospholipid membrane containing integral proteins, some of which function as ion channels. Chapter 11 Local Anaesthetics…
Abstract Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Since pain is so highly subjective, it may also be described as…
Abstract Pharmacokinetics is the study of the way in which the body handles administered drugs. The use of mathematical models allows us to predict how plasma concentration changes with time…
Abstract Structure–activity relationships (SAR) describe how the structure of related drugs influences their behaviour, for example whether they are agonists or antagonists. In order to understand how differences in drug…
Abstract In the previous chapter we explored the mathematical principles and models that can be used to predict plasma concentrations of drugs, particularly compartment models. This chapter will discuss the…
Abstract Interactions occur when one drug modifies the action of another. This interaction may either increase or decrease the second drug’s action. Sometimes these interactions result in unwanted effects, but…
Abstract Isomerism is the phenomenon by which molecules with the same atomic formulae have different structural arrangements – the component atoms of the molecule are the same, but they are…
Abstract Drugs may act in a number of ways to exert their effect. These range from relatively simple non-specific actions that depend on the physicochemical properties of a drug to…
