Drug Classes: Opiates & Sedatives - Chapter 5

Question 1

Opiates (Narcotics) (Commonly Abused Drugs)

Answer 1

• Reduce pain and induce extremely intense feelings of euphoria
  
  • Intense euphoria, pain relief
  • Stimulate endorphin receptors
  • Tolerance develops very quickly
  • Very high risk of dependence
  • E.g., morphine, heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, oxycontin, codeine, opium

Question 2

Naloxone: Treating Overdoses

Answer 2

• Endorphins are endogenous pain-relieving neurotransmitters in the brain
• Drugs that promote endorphin release (i.e., opioids) act as powerful pain relievers

Question 3

Naloxone

Answer 3

Drug that blocks endorphin receptor sites to negate the effects of opioids

Question 4

Opioid and Fentanyl Crisis

Answer 4

• Other opioids often laced with highly potent fentanyl
• Methadone treatment
• Ongoing class-action lawsuits against opioid manufacturers

Question 5

Sedatives (‘downers’) (Commonly Abused Drugs)

Answer 5

• Depress activity of the central nervous system
  
  • Drowsiness, relaxation,
    sleep
  • Increase GABA activity
  • Tolerance develops quickly
  • High risk of dependence
  • E.g., Xanax, Valium
  • Barbiturates vs
    benzodiazepines