Chapter 5 - Ethyl Alcohol Flashcards
How do CNS depressants generally exert their effects?
By augmenting GABA and glutamate excitatory activity (NMDA).
What is GHB?
A CNS depressant. General anesthetic. Common date-rape drug.
Where is alcohol absorbed?
Rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract. Most in the upper intestine. 10-20% absorbed in stomach by enzymes called, Alcohol dehydrogenase, ADH.
How/Where is alcohol metabolized and by what?
85% in the liver and the rest in the stomach. In both places, ADH breaks it down. Some alcohol is breathed out.
What rate is Alcohol metabolized in relation to the concentration taken in?
It is metabolized at the same rate no matter how much alcohol there is.
Who has a higher BAC: Someone with high body fat percentage or low body fat percentage?
High.
At what BAC do blackout (loss of memory, but still functional) typically occur?
0.14%-0.3%
What is the BAC for automatic legal intoxication?
.08%
What are fatal BAC levels?
More than .4%
By what percent is alcohol typically metabolized?
.015%
What happens if you take a low dose of alcohol?
Dis-inhibition - Relief from anxiety. Loss of motor coordination. Small fall in BP.
What happens if you take a moderate dose of alcohol?
Progressive respiratory depression, sleep, muscle relaxation.
What happens if you take a high dose of alcohol?
Amnesia, profound drop in BP, unconsciousness, hypothermia, coma, and ultimately, death from respiratory depression and cardiac depression.
What does alcohol do to blood vessels?
It dilates them, allowing for greater release of heat (Alcohol does not keep people warm).
Does alcohol have diuretic effects? If yes, how does it exert this effect?
Yes, it inhibits vasopressin release. Vasopressin is a hormone that allows the body to retain water.
What, in general, causes psychological dependence?
The dopaminergic reward pathway. Drug gives feeling of pleasure. Drug abstinence causes dysphoria and craving.
How does alcohol have a metabolic tolerance?
The liver increases alcohol metabolizing enzymes.
What are the severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal?
Delirium tremors: severe form of alcohol withdrawal. Agitation, fever, convulsions. Delirium - severe, acute loss of mental functions.
What are the 4(5) features of Alcoholism?
- Craving. 2. Loss of control. 3. Physical dependence. 4. Tolerance. (5.) Denial.
What are the adverse effects of alcoholism?
Liver damage (cirrhosis - liver is yellow), pancreatitis and chronic gastritis. Possible neuronal loss. Impaired immune system. Etc.
What are the 5 ideal goals of alcoholism treatment?
- Reverse alcohol effects (limit to supportive care- ex. providing fluids). 2. Limit withdrawal effects. 3. Treat co-existing conditions. 4. Limit neuronal injuries during detox. 5. Eliminate/reduce alcohol use.
What are pharmacotherapuetic drugs that reduce alcohol relapse?
Disulfiram (Antabuse), Naltrexone (ReVia, Vivitrol), Acamprosate (Campral).
What is Disulfiram (Antabuse) and how does it work?
An alcohol sensitizing drug. It inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase (not ADH). End result: Build-up of Acetaldehyde. Controlled trials were disappointing.
What is Naltrexone (ReVia, Vivitrol) and how does it work?
Reduces craving for alcohol. Opioid antagonist. Thought that reinforcing properties of alcohol involve opioid systems. Only has small effects.
What is Acamprosate (Campral) and how does it work?
Thought to restore balance of GABA/Glutamate neurotransmission. It has GABA-agonistic effect and is inhibitory at NMDA receptors.
