Drugs of Abuse

Question 1

All drugs that have significant dependence liability share the pharmacologic property of enhancing dopamine activity in the _______.

Answer 1

nucleus accumbens

Question 2

What is nicotine?

Answer 2

a mild CNS stimulant

Question 3

What is alcohol?

Answer 3

a CNS depressant

enhances GABA

Question 4

What is meth?

Answer 4

a strong CNS stimulant

Question 5

What is another name for the nucleus accumbens?

Answer 5

ventral striatum

Question 6

A drug of abuse that blocks the reuptake of DA and NE into presynaptic catecholamine neurons and also blocks sodium channels in neuronal membranes is?

Answer 6

cocaine

Question 7

What are the catecholamines?

Answer 7

DA
NE
Epi

Question 8

What is the tx for opioid OD?

Answer 8

naloxone

Question 9

Do opioids increase or decrease nausea and vomiting?

Answer 9

at low doses = increased

at OD level = decreased

Question 10

Which drug of abuse is least likely to result in a fatality if orally ingested in excessive amounts as a single agent?

Answer 10

diazepam

Question 11

What is the major SE of concern in phenobarbital?

Answer 11

respiratory depression

Question 12

What is pharmacodynamic tolerance?

Answer 12

lessened response at an active target site to the same drug concentration due to changes is receptor sensitivity

Question 13

What is metabolic/dispositional tolerance?

Answer 13

change in pharmacokinetics result in lowered drug Cp at the active site(s), usually due to an increase in metabolism

Question 14

What is cross tolerance?

Answer 14

tolerance to one drug will carry over to the rest of the drugs in the same class

Question 15

What is learned tolerance?

Answer 15

reduction in effects of a drug due to learned compensatory mechanisms

Question 16

What is reverse tolerance?

Answer 16

sensitization to drugs following repeated doses

Question 17

A pt that is an alcoholic would most likely display cross tolerance to which drugs?

Answer 17

diazepam (Valium)

Question 18

What is physical dependence?

Answer 18

when you stop use abruptly –> appearance of withdrawal symptoms
biologic phenomenon –> resetting of homeostatic mechanisms

Question 19

What is psychological dependence?

Answer 19

perceived need for a drug (craving) in the absence of any physiological dependence or withdrawal symptoms

Question 20

Drug dependence is a term that is defined as?

Answer 20

a state of neuroadaptation produced by repeated drug admin that necessitates continued drug admin to prevent the withdrawal syndrome from occurring

Question 21

Tolerance is a term that is defined as?

Answer 21

a reduced effect of the drug generated by repeated admin of the drug in a particular environment

Question 22

Untreated withdrawal from drugs of abuse can produce symptoms that include potentially life-threatening seizures. Seizures are LEAST likely to occur in what drug classes?

Answer 22

opioids