Drugs and Pharmacodynamics of addiction

Question 1

What is a drug?

Answer 1

Any chemical entity that is used non- medically and is (generally ) self – administered, through any route of administration for its positive psychoactive effect

Question 2

What are the classifications of drugs for addiction?

Answer 2

1) Depressants
2) Stimulants
3)Cannabis
4) Opioids
5) Hallucinogens and Phencyclidines
6) Other

Question 3

What are examples of depressants?

Answer 3

Alcohol
Opioids
Benzodiasepines
Cannabis (delta -9- tetrhydocannabinol, THC )
Volatile substance (inhalants)
Barbiturates

Question 4

What are examples of stimulants?

Answer 4

Nicotine
Caffeine
Amphetamines
Cocaine

Question 5

What are examples of Hallucinogens and Phencyclidines?

Answer 5

Phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP)
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Mushrooms (Psliocybin)
Mescaline

Question 6

What are some examples of other drugs?

Answer 6

Steroid
Kava
Gamma- hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
3,4-0 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA Ecstasy)

Question 7

What are the 5+ solutions for addiction?

Answer 7

Raise alcohol prices

Raise the purchase age

Reduce alcohol accessibility

Reduce marketing and advertising

Increase drink-driving counter-measures

PLUS: Increase treatment opportunities for heavy drinkers

Question 8

What are some common medication interactions?

Answer 8

Lorazepam and alcohol:
Associated with respiratory & cardiac depression

Ecstasy and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI):
Fatal hypotension

Ecstasy and ritonavir:
Fatalities

Amphetamines and MAOI:
Severe hypertensive crisis

Amyl nitrate and sildenafil (Viagra):
Fatal hypotension

Serontonin syndrome:
fatal over-activity of the serotonin system, caused by serotonin-enhancing drugs (increased heart rate, sweating, tremor, & shakiness, increased B/P agitation, seizures & a range of serious metabolic consequences)

Question 9

What does Pharmacokinetics involve?

Answer 9

absorption,
distribution,
metabolism and
excretion of drugs