Amphetamines Flashcards
1
Q
What are amphetamines?
A
is a potent central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the phenethylamine class that is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) and narcolepsy.
2
Q
Ancient history of amphetamines:
A
- Cathinone, the active ingredient in khat (or gat) (Catha edulis), an evergreen shrub native to East Africa and Arabia
- Ephedrine, from the herb Ephedra vulgaris, used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years
- but unlike the others, amphetamines are not just purified fromt hese plants
3
Q
What are some of the natural dangers of amphetamines?
A
- Ephedra-containing weight loss products became very popular in the 1990s
- But it also elevates blood pressure and increases risk of heart attack or stroke
- After many reports of adverse effects, including death of a baseball player, the FDA banned the sale of ephedra-containing dietary supplement in 2004
4
Q
In terms of structure, what is amphetamine?
A
Amphetamine is the parent compund of family of synthetic psychostimulants that are structurally related to DA
5
Q
Why were amphetamines created?
A
- In the 1920s, ephedra was found to be a valuable anti-asthmatic (bronchodilator).
- Because of limited supplies, search for a synthetic subtitue turned out to be amphetamine, frist synthesized in 1887
- An inhaler was introduced in 1932, then tablets were used to treat narcolepsy
6
Q
In recent history, how were amphetmaines important?
A
- Amphetamine use bec ame popular for many ailments, as well as keeping soldiers awake and alert
- Used by Americans, Germans, and Japanese
- After WWII, usage soared
- In 50’s and 60’s very common for students and truck driversz
- By 1970 over 10% of the population in the US over 14 had used
- After 1970 use was largely replaced by cocaine, except for a recent surge in methamphetamine use
7
Q
How is amphetamine taken? Streetnames?
A
- Amphetamine is taken orally or by IV or subcutaneous injectio (skin popping)
- Street names include
- uppers, bennies, dexies, black beauties, and diet pills
8
Q
How are methamphetamines related to amphetamines?
A
- Methamphetamines are very similar to amphetamines (simply adding a methyl group to amphetamine)
- But one samll change can make a large difference in the system
- Methamphetamine has very strong effects on the CNS.
9
Q
How can methamphetamine be introduced to the body? street names?
A
- Street names: meth, speed, crank, zip, and go
- It can be taken orally, snorted, injected IV, or smoked
- Smoking is doen with a glass pipe or by heating the drug on apiece of aluminum foil (“chasing the dragon”)
10
Q
Give me a brief breakdown of meth’s history:
A
- Synthesized in 1919 by Akira Ogata
- Water-soluble, so it could be injected
- In 1950’s-> prescribed for everything from depression to obesity
- In 1960’s-> Beg. of making meth illegal (illegal in 1970)
- In 1978-1983-> “Golden years” of illicit methamphetamine manufacture (where “crank” comes from
- Cheaper than cocaine
- Controlled subtance act (1986)-> Federal Analong Act-> “any drug chemically similar to an illegal drug is illegal”
11
Q
What is “ice”?
A
- Methamphetamine hydrochloride is a crystalline form particularly suitable for smoking (“ice” or “crystal”) began showing up in Hawaii in the 1980s
- Similar to difference between cocaine and crack
- “Ice” in inexpensive to make and is highly addictive
12
Q
What are some stats on Meth for today?
A
- In 2011, 12 million
- 2000 DAWN (drug abuse warning network) reported a 30% (10,000- 13,000) increase of methamphetamine realted episode
- Today about 50% of the visits to ER caused by drugs are due to meth
- Dominant problem in San Francisco, San Diego and Hawaii
- Extended to Wst and Southwest and now South and Midwest
- Amphetamine and metamphetamine -> represent 12% of all Federal drug arrests
- Availability has increased in Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York
- There are 26 million users in the world (more than cocaine and heroin together)
13
Q
What are some downsides to meth production?
hint: eco
A
- For each pound of methamphetamine produced in the traditional way there are 5 pounds of toxic waste and by-products
- Phosphine (toxic gas)
14
Q
What are some behaviors displayed by meth abusers? “take the edge off”? “speedball”?
A
- Some users (“speed freaks”) go on binges, or “runs” of repeated IV injections to experience recurrent highs
- During a run, the drug is typically injected about every 2 hours for as long as 3 to 6 days, with little sleep or eating
- Barbiturates or other depressants are sometimes used to “take the edge off” during a run or to aid sleep afterward
- IV amphetamine or methamphetamine is sometimes combined with heroin to yield a so-called “speedball”
15
Q
What about the pharmacology of amphetamine and methamphetamine?
A
- Amphetamine and methamphetamine are metabolized by theliver at a slow rate
- Because of long half-lives, users obtain a longer-lasting “high” from a single dose than from a dose of cocaine/
- Amphetamine and methamphetamine are indirect agonists of catecholaminergic systems
- Includes DA and NE
