Drugs of Abuse

Question 1

Ethanol

Answer 1

CNS Depressant

Alcohol -> [Alcohol Dehydrogenase] -> acetaldehyde -> [Aldehyde dehydrogenase] -> acetate

zero-order kinetics

Question 2

Disulfram

Answer 2

Inhibits Aldehyde Dehydrogenase

Rx: encourage alcoholics to abstain from ETOH abuse

SE: facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache

Question 3

Naltrexone

Answer 3

Opioid Antagonist

Blocks reinforcing properties of ETOH, reduces rate of relapse

Question 4

Diazepam

Answer 4

Benzodiazepine

Question 5

Alprazolam

Answer 5

Benzodizapine

Question 6

Flunitrazepam

Answer 6

Date-rape drug

causes retrograde amnesia

Question 7

Flumazenil

Answer 7

Benzodiazepine receptor antagonist

Rx: Tx of benzo overdose, reverse effects of long-acting benzodiazepines used in anesthesia

Question 8

Pentobarbital

Answer 8

Barbiturate

Question 9

Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB)

Answer 9

Reward pathway: disinhibition of DA nuerons in VTA via GABA-B receptors

SE: euphoria, enhanced sensory perception, sedation, amnesia

date rape drug

Question 10

Cocaine

Answer 10

Psychostimulant

Reward pathway: increased DA release in nucleus accumbens

SE: intense euphoria, increased energy and libido

strongest psychological dependence of any drug

Question 11

Cocaethylene

Answer 11

Mixture of ETOH and cocaine

Produces intensification of cocaine’s euphoric effects.

Question 12

Methamphetamine

Answer 12

Psychostimulant

Effects last 6-24 hours

Sympathomimetic effects (release of NE)

SE: MI, Cerebrovascular hemorrhage, seizure, death

Question 13

Methylphenidate

Answer 13

Psychostimulant

MOA: DA/NE reuptake inhibitor

Rx: ADHD, narcolepsy

SE: insomina, abdominal pain, weight loss

Question 14

Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

Answer 14

Ecstasy

MOA: interferes w/ 5HT transporters to rlease 5HT from presynaptic terminals

chronic use –> permanent 5HT depletion

SE: hyperthermia, dehydration

Question 15

LSD

Answer 15

Hallucinogen

MOA: release of glutamate in cortex via thalamic excitation; targeting of 5HT-2A receptors

Flashback: reproduction of visual effects of prior LSD trips

Bad trip: panic, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts

Question 16

Psilocybin

Answer 16

Magic Mushroom

MOA: release of glutamate in cortex via thalamic excitation; targeting of 5HT-2A receptors

Flashback: reproduction of visual effects of prior LSD trips

Bad trip: panic, severe anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts

Question 17

Ketamine

Answer 17

Dissociative Anesthetic

MOA: block NMDA-type glutamate receptors (decrease cortex, limbic system activity)

Question 18

Phencyclidine (PCP)

Answer 18

Hallucinogen

MOA: block NMDA-type glutamate receptors (decrease cortex, limbic system activity)

Question 19

Codeine

Answer 19

Opioid

Question 20

Heroin

Answer 20

Opioid

Question 21

Morphine

Answer 21

Opioid

Question 22

Oxycodone

Answer 22

Opioid

Question 23

Naloxone

Answer 23

Opioid Antagonist
MOA: mu-receptor antagonist

Rx: emergency overdose

Question 24

Methadone

Answer 24

Opioid Agonist

Rx: Tx of opioid withdrawal, addiction

prevents opiate craving / withdrawal

Question 25

Naltrexone

Answer 25

Opioid Antagonist

MOA: mu-receptor antagonist

Tx: maintenance thereapy

Question 26

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)

Answer 26

Marijuana

MOA: disinhibits DA neurons in the VTA via presynaptic cannabinoid receptors (GABA-A inhibition)

Rx: relief of chronic pain

Question 27

Nicotine

Answer 27

MOA: activation of nictotinic-acetylcholine receptors on VTA projection neurons –> DA release in nucleus accumbens and PFC

seen in Bupropion, Varenicline