Drugs of Misuse

Question 1

What are the acute effects of heroin?

Answer 1

1. Pain relief
2. Reduces anxiety
3. Reduces reflexes
4. Constipation
5. Cough suppression

Question 2

What are the withdrawal effects of heroine?

Answer 2

1. Muscle aches
2. Anxiety
3. Agitation
4. Fever
5. Diarrhoea
6. Coughing

Question 3

How fast does nicotine enter the body?

Answer 3

Reaches brain within 10 seconds
Bloodstream via lungs

Acute effects dissipate within a few minutes

Question 4

What kind of nicotine receptors are implicated in mediating addiction?

Answer 4

1. Alpha4

2. Beta2

Question 5

What Neurotransmitters does nicotine release?

Answer 5

Dopamine - psychoactive effects
Noradrenaline - increase attentiveness
GABA and endorphins - anxiolytic effects

Question 6

What are the physiological effects of nicotine?

Answer 6

1. Increase heat rate
2. Increases blood pressure
3. Increases sweating
4. decreases GI motility
5. Release of adrenaline and noradrenaline from adrenal medulla
6. Stimulation and arousal
7. Alleviate stress and anxiety
8. Enhance and sensory performance
9. Relaxation of skeletal muscle

Question 7

What are the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine?

Answer 7

1. Irritability
2. Restlessness
3. Attention deficits
4. Sleep disturbances
5. Hunger
6. Craving persists for long

Question 8

How does bupropion work?

Answer 8

Antidepressant
Not sure how cessation works
May inv. dopamine and NA transmission