Amphetamines

Question 1

Are amphetamines CNS stimulants or depressants?

Answer 1

Stimulants

Question 2

Amphetamines usually prescribed by doctors to treat…

Answer 2

ADHD, narcolepsy, parkinson

Question 3

Famous form of amphetamines is…

Answer 3

Crystal methamphetamine (ICE)

Question 4

What is Speed?

Answer 4

Powder form of methamphetamine

Question 5

Poor man’s cocaine is another name for…

Answer 5

ICE

Question 6

How can amphetamines be taken?

Answer 6

Smoked
Ingested
Snorted
Injected

Question 7

Rank the routes from quickest to slowest time taken to feel effects (with time)

Answer 7

Injection (15-30s)
Smoking (around 40s)
Snorting (3-5min)
Ingesting (15-20min)

Question 8

What is the MOA of ICE?

Answer 8

1) Its an indirect agonist of the monoamines (dopamine, noradrenaljne,serotonin)
2) So the mechanisms include:
- block monoamine reuptake
- increase metabolism of MAO
-inhibit vascular storage

Question 9

What effects does ice have on systems?

Answer 9

Neurological: Intracranial hemmorage, delerium, pupillary mydriasis, choreiform movement, tremor, seizures
Psychiatric: anxiety, euphoria/depression, repetative behavior,suicidal/homicidal thoughts, hallucination, delusion of power
ENT: Meth mouth=xerostomia, bruxism(teeth grinding),tooth decay
Cardio: Tachycardia, hypertension, dilated CM, aortic dissection, MI, dysrhythmia, ischemic ECG changes
Renal: AKI secondary to rhamdomyolysis
GI: nausea, vomitting, diarrhea

Question 10

What is the treatment of amphetamine?

Answer 10

Physical strains (cuffs)
Chemical strains (sedatives like diazepam)
Gastric lavage by alkaloid antiode or activated charcoal
IV crystalloids to washout toxin in urine
If there is end organ damage then IV phentolamine, nitroprusside & nitroglycerin
Supportive care (antibiotics for infection)

Question 11

Withdrawal symptoms of amphetamine include….

Answer 11

Headache,dizziness,blurred vision
Hallucination,confusion,irritation
Feeling down, paranoia
Difficulty sleeping, exhausion

Question 12

What are the signs seen on amphetamine overdose?

Answer 12

-Recent needle puncture marks
-Irregular liner scars and skin infection in cubital fossa, anterior aspect of the arm, medial aspect of ankle, inguinal area, neck)
-open sores caused by scratching due to ‘Crank bugs’ under skin
-Meth mouth
Bony prominence and prominent rib cage
-Severe weight loss

Question 13

What are the 7 stages of ‘Meth experience’?

Answer 13

The rush: euphoria
The high (the shoulder): delusion of power and argumentative
The Binge: uncontrolled use of drug to maintaine the high and the rush
Tweaking: Can no longer achieve binge
The crash: Body forced to shutdown cuz overwhelming effect of drug
Meth hangover: After crash were user is starved, dehydrated, physically mentally and emotionally exhausted so uses meth again cuz addiction
Withdrawal