Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
Sedative-hypnotics
Barbiturates - Benzodiazepines
work on GABAa receptor
Alcohol
CNS depressant- acts on GABA ch
severe withdrawal
Tx: Naltrexone, disulfiram, acamprosate, bupropion
Opioids
Heroine, Morphine, Codeine, Oxycodone
Euphoria, anxiolytic
Severe withdrawal, fast tolerance, physical dependence
Tx: Naltrexone, methadone
Amphetamines
CNS stimulant - reverses DA transport through the DAT
Ritalin, Aderral (Narcolepsy, ADHD)
Periph: inc BP, cardiac stim (heart failure risk)
Withdrawal (not fatal)- inc appetite, fatigue
Methamphetamine
CNS stim - inc release of DA & NE in basal ganglia
Amphetamine psychosis, permanent neurotoxic damage (loss of DA transporters), rapid phys/psych dependence, long/severe withdrawal, cardiac tox (pulm edema, HF)
Cocaine
CNS stim - inhibits DA reuptake
Severe craving/withdrawal, phys/psych dependence, Crack-cocaine: smoked- faster onset. Chronic: dec in brain activity, cocaine bugs. OD: Vtach, Vfib, stroke, seizures.
Tx: bromocriptine (dec cravings)
Nicotine
CNS stim- activated N receptors, inc 5HT & DA release
Induces CYP450, intense dependence, difficult withdrawal
Tx: bupropion (dec cravings)
MDMA
CNS stim- blocks 5HT reuptake & stim receptors “Ecstasy”
Hyperthermia, dehydration, kidney failure- fatal
Depression after and loss of neuronal activity/permanent memory loss
Marijuana
THC, very lipophilic (long T1/2)- inhibits ACh & glut release presyn
Psychological dependence only (no DA receptor stim), dysphoria on withdrawal. Amotivational syndrome
“bath salts”- psychoactive effects
LSD
Mescaline
Psilocybin
Acts on 5HT receptors, no depence (no effect on DA pathways), synesthesia
PCP
NMDA receptor antagonist - dissociative anesthetic
Psychosis- tx w/ haloperidol
Ketamine
GHB
dissociative anesthesia - “date rape” drugs
Ketamine: NMDA receptor antagonist
GHB: GABA receptor weak agonist
Inhalants
Euphoria, unknown mech
N2O: peripheral neuropathy
Amyl & Butyl Nitrite: smooth mm relaxants
