Chapter 12 - Psychostimulants Flashcards
What are the 2 kinds of psychostimulants?
Cocaine & (Meth)Amphetamines
What effects do psychostimulants have?
increased arousal and alertness
sensorimotor activation
behavioral excitement
Brief history on Cocaine:
- recommended by Freud to treat Depression
- Used in Coca-Cola
- 1970 increased use by IV & snorting
What forms of Cocaine are there?
- Coca leaves
- Coca Paste
- Cocaine HCl
- Freebase/Crack Cocaine
What explains the addictive nature of Cocaine?
-fast onset and fast offset of high purity substance
What is the half life of Cocaine
0.5 to 1.5 hours
What happens when Cocaine is combined with Alcohol?
Takes the edge off extreme arousal
What occurs with monoamine reuptake inhibition?
- There is inhibition of DA, 5-HT, NE
- Increased levels of NT in the cleft
- increased post synaptic effects
what is the order for monoamine binding affinity? from high to low
5-HT, DA, NE
What is an example of a drug that prevents storage of NT in vesicles?
Reserpine
What is an example of a drug that prevents reuptake?
Cocaine
What are some other uses for Cocaine?
-Local anaesthetics
-Sympathomimetic:
Sympathetic nervous system activation
How can one stop Cocaine abuse?
- Modafinil
- Dilsufiram
- Cocaine vaccines
- individual, group, family counselling
- Relapse prevention therapy (CBT)
- Narcotics/cocaine anonymous
- Contingency management approach
What are the therapeutic effects of Amphetamines?
- Treatment of Narcolepsy
- calming effect in ADHD
- Obesity: appetite suppression
Chronic high doses of Amphetamines yield:
- hallucinations
- delusions of persecution
- spontaneous flashbacks
