Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
Ethanol
CNS Depressant
Alcohol -> [Alcohol Dehydrogenase] -> acetaldehyde -> [Aldehyde dehydrogenase] -> acetate
zero-order kinetics
Disulfram
Inhibits Aldehyde Dehydrogenase
Rx: encourage alcoholics to abstain from ETOH abuse
SE: facial flushing, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache
Naltrexone
Opioid Antagonist
Blocks reinforcing properties of ETOH, reduces rate of relapse
Diazepam
Benzodiazepine
Alprazolam
Benzodizapine
Flunitrazepam
Date-rape drug
causes retrograde amnesia
Flumazenil
Benzodiazepine receptor antagonist
Rx: Tx of benzo overdose, reverse effects of long-acting benzodiazepines used in anesthesia
Pentobarbital
Barbiturate
Gamma-hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB)
Reward pathway: disinhibition of DA nuerons in VTA via GABA-B receptors
SE: euphoria, enhanced sensory perception, sedation, amnesia
date rape drug
Cocaine
Psychostimulant
Reward pathway: increased DA release in nucleus accumbens
SE: intense euphoria, increased energy and libido
strongest psychological dependence of any drug
Cocaethylene
Mixture of ETOH and cocaine
Produces intensification of cocaine’s euphoric effects.
Methamphetamine
Psychostimulant
Effects last 6-24 hours
Sympathomimetic effects (release of NE)
SE: MI, Cerebrovascular hemorrhage, seizure, death
Methylphenidate
Psychostimulant
MOA: DA/NE reuptake inhibitor
Rx: ADHD, narcolepsy
SE: insomina, abdominal pain, weight loss
Methylene-dioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Ecstasy
MOA: interferes w/ 5HT transporters to rlease 5HT from presynaptic terminals
chronic use –> permanent 5HT depletion
SE: hyperthermia, dehydration
LSD
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
Psilocybin
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
Ketamine
Dissociative Anesthetic
MOA: block NMDA-type glutamate receptors (decrease cortex, limbic system activity)
Phencyclidine (PCP)
Hallucinogen
MOA: block NMDA-type glutamate receptors (decrease cortex, limbic system activity)
Codeine
Opioid
Heroin
Opioid
Morphine
Opioid
Oxycodone
Opioid
Naloxone
Opioid Antagonist
MOA: mu-receptor antagonist
Rx: emergency overdose
Methadone
Opioid Agonist
Rx: Tx of opioid withdrawal, addiction
prevents opiate craving / withdrawal
Naltrexone
Opioid Antagonist
MOA: mu-receptor antagonist
Tx: maintenance thereapy
Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Marijuana
MOA: disinhibits DA neurons in the VTA via presynaptic cannabinoid receptors (GABA-A inhibition)
Rx: relief of chronic pain
Nicotine
MOA: activation of nictotinic-acetylcholine receptors on VTA projection neurons –> DA release in nucleus accumbens and PFC
seen in Bupropion, Varenicline
