drugs 4 Flashcards
alcohol
What are some potential causes of a hangover following too much alcohol ingestion?
-Dehydration
-Not producing alcohol dehydrogenase because of genetic condition
-Gender, physiological and genetic differences
What are congeners?
-are the substances produced during fermenation that affect the taste, aroma, and color of the drink
-They can also contribute to hangovers
How long does it take for blood alcohol content to peak after one’s last drink?
-30-90 minutes from when you start drinking before the blood alcohol content peaks
-Can vary depending on different factors such as gender/weight
What percentage of alcohol is metabolized in one hour?
.015= 1 hour
.030= 2 hours
.045= 3 hours
.060= 4 hours
.075= 5 hours
Person’s weight + # of drinks = BAC
What is first pass metabolism? How is this affected by drinking on an empty stomach?
-First pass: the metabolization of a drug before it even makes it to the bloodstream
-Empty stomach= by passes first pass metabolization (absorption of 20% more alcohol)
What is the primary mechanism of action in the brain for alcohol?
-Glutamate antagonist (neurons swells which means it releases/slows less neurotransmitter
-Glutamate is excitatory, so less glutamate = brain is less active (sedative)
-Same effect on dopamine & norepinephrine
Review the basics of the fermentation process:
the process of making wine, converting natural sugars into ethyl alcohol by the action of yeasts
Review the basics of the distillation process:
the process of making liquor by boiling a fermented liquid then cooling it, to produce a higher alcohol content
What is the drug Antabuse used for and how does it work?
-Disulfiram: not effective because alcoholics will drink anyways
-It blocks acetadehyde dehydrogenase enzyme, therefore it builds in body
-Causes nausea, vomiting
-Needs to be taken daily
-Can affect other products with alcohol such as perfume
What effects does alcohol have on the kidneys?
Alcohol will make kidneys release more water, resulting in a risk of dehydration
what is antidiuretic hormone?
released by the brain and prevents the release of water by the kidneys which results in water retention
What effect does alcohol have on body temperature?
-Increased heat loss in cold weather
-It will decrease body temperature because it dilates blood vessels, bringing blood supply closer to the skin
How do you calculate how much alcohol is in a particular beverage
of ounces x alcohol concentration
Ex: 5oz of wine and 12% alcohol concentration
5 x .12 = .60 oz of alcohol concentration
Which two enzymes are involved in metabolizing alcohol into acetaldehyde and then acetic acid?
-Alcohol dehydrogenase: enzyme that converts alcohol into acetaldehyde
-Aldehyde dehydrogenase: converts acetaldehyde into acetic acid
Which enzyme is underproduced and which chemical builds up in some individuals of Asian descent when they drink alcohol?
In some individuals of Asian descent, there is an underproduction or deficiency in ALDH2. This leads to a chemical build up of acetaldehyde, which is toxic and often leads to facial flushing, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms.
What is Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome
is a neurological disorder seen in chronic alcoholics due to a lack of thiamine
Wernickie’s disease:
Confusion and motor impairments
Korsakoff’s psychosis:
chronic amnesia and general apathy (lack of motivation)
Confabulations:
making up things to fill in the gaps in memory; are unaware of what they are doing and that things they are making up are untrue
Can heavy alcohol use increase risk of dementia?
Yessss Heavy alcohol use increases risk of Alcoholic dementia: structural changes in the brain (atrophined) decline in IQ, decline in verbal learning and memory, executive function, language functioning
Be able to recognize characteristics of alcoholism.
Lack of control over drinking
Preoccupation over drinking
Drink despite adverse consequences
Distortions in drinking
Vocational, social and family problems
Emotional problems
Physical problems
Symptoms of withdrawal
What is delirium tremens?
Severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as shaking, confusion, and hallucinations, sleep disorders, psychomotor agitation
Potentially fatal because alcohol in the CNS depressant slows brain activity and can increase a risk of seizures
Which liver diseases are typically observed in alcoholics? What cancer risks are elevated in alcoholics?
Fatty liver (fat deposits in the liver) leads to cell loss
Alcoholic hepatitis (liver inflammation) looks red and more inflamed
Alcoholic cirrhosis (scarring and deterioration of liver cells)
What is the difference between the proof of alcohol compared to the percentage of alcohol?
Both the percentage and proof of alcohol denote the concentration of alcohol in the drink
proof= 2 times the percentage
