˚₊‧ʚ♡ɞ‧₊˚ 𝚘𝚙𝚒𝚘𝚒𝚍𝚜 ˚₊‧ʚ♡ɞ‧₊˚ Flashcards
which of the following is an opioid receptor subtype?
a. Mu
b. Kappa
c. Delta
d. all
d. all of the above
heroin is an opioid receptor antagonist, true or false?
false.
true or false: morphine is found in opium
true
Opioid users develop what type of tolerance?
a. cellular
b. behavioral
c. metabolic
d. cross-tolerance
all; develops to respiratory depression, analgesia, euphoria, sedation.
what makes up the “opioid triad”?
Pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, coma.
What is opium?
A synthetic narcotic from the opium poppy.
What is 1 example of a natural, synthetic, and semi-synthetic opioid?
natural: opium
semi-synthetic: heroin
synthetic: fentanyl
What is the drug schedule for heroin & morphine?
Schedule 2.
Why do morphine & heroin have different effects?
Heroin is more lipid soluble, so it crosses BBB more easily.
ADME of opioids?
Absorption impacted by ROA, which can be oral, insufflated, IV, or smoked.
Distribution: accumulates in liver, kidneys, GI, lungs, muscles, spleen.
Metabolism: liver metabolizes into active & inactive metabolites.
Excretion: excreted mostly by kidneys in urine.
How do opioid drugs work at the synapse in the brain? Are the opioid receptor agonists or antagonists?
brain cells/neurons communicate via synapse. Opioid drugs attach to opioid receptors on neurons, which blocks “feel pain” messages from being sent. They are agonists, they “turn on” receptors to increase the “stop pain” effect.
What are autoreceptors? How do opioids affect them? What NT are then affected, downstream?
Autoreceptors stop/slow release of NT. Opioids bind to autoreceptors, resulting in neuron not getting “slow down” signal anymore—now able to keep releasing more & more NT. Some downstream effects include dopamine (leads to pleasure & reward—related to addiction), norepinephrine (can increase alertness & energy), serotonin (affects mood & sleep).
Where are the main areas dopamine receptors are found?
Dopamine reward pathway: opioid receptors scattered throughout brain’s reward system. When opioids bind to receptors here, they supercharge release of dopamine, leading to pleasure & euphoria.
Pain pathway: brain & spinal cord, has loads of opioid receptors. When opioids activate these receptors, they block pain signals from travelling to brain.
GI system: stomach & intestines have opioid receptors. Binding here can slow digestion, causing constipation.
Acute effects & withdrawal symptoms from heroin?
EFFECTS: low body temp, euphoria, skin warmth, constipation, muscular relaxation, stupor, analgesia.
WITHDRAWAL: raised body temp, depression/anxiety, gooseflesh, diarrhea, restlessness/involuntary twitching, insomnia, pain & irritability.
What are the medical uses of opioids?
analgesia, diarrhea, cough suppressant.
