Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
1
Q
Define intoxication
A
- transient syndrome
- psychological and physical impairment
2
Q
Define dependence
A
- physiological and psychological phenomena
3
Q
Define tolerance
A
- decreased effect (increased dose required)
4
Q
Define withdrawal
A
Drug is reduced or withdrawn
5
Q
Main site of action of heroin
A
- opiate receptors in brain and spinal cord: thalamus, hypothalamus, medulla
- sensory nerves in PNS
6
Q
Physiological effects of heroin
A
- pain relief
- suppressed cough
- constipation
- drowsiness and confusion
- impaired coordination
- reduced HR, BP and RR
- constricted pupils
- euphoria and pleasure
7
Q
Symptoms of opioid withdrawal
A
- nausea and vomiting
- muscle aches
- lacrimation
- rhinorrhoea
- sweating
- diarrhoea
- piloerection
8
Q
Treatment of opioid overdose or withdrawal
A
- naloxone
- long-acting opioids (methadone)
- benzos and loperamide
9
Q
Metabolism of alcohol
A
- absorbed into bloodstream in small intestine
- metabolised by liver
- excreted in urine, breath, sweat
10
Q
Alcohol pharmacology
A
- CNS depressant
- enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA on its receptor
11
Q
Physiological effects of alcohol
A
- altered judgement and reasoning
- pleasure, loss of emotional control
- loss of coordination and balance
- respiration and HR reduced
- alters long term memory formation
12
Q
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
A
- mild anxiety and shakiness
- severe complications: seizures and delirium tremens
13
Q
Medical management of alcohol withdrawal
A
- benzos
- anticonvulsant drug (carbamazepine)
- beta-blocker
14
Q
Site of action of cocaine
A
Inhibits actions of Monoamine reuptake transporters
- increases the concentration of monoamines in the synaptic cleft (dopamine, serotonin, nor-epinephrine_
15
Q
Physiological effects of cocaine
A
- increased energy and motor activity
- increased heart rate and BP
- euphoria
- decreased appetite
- mental alertness
- increased body temp
- dilated puils
