EXAM #3: DRUGS OF ABUSE II

Question 1

What are the two most commonly abused Benzodiazepines?

Answer 1

1) Diazepam (Valium)

2) Alprazolam (Xanax)

Question 2

What is Flunitrazepam?

Answer 2

Rohypnol i.e. the date rape drug

Question 3

What is Flumazenil?

Answer 3

Benzodiazepine receptor antagonist

Question 4

What Barbiturate is commonly abused?

Answer 4

Pentobarbital

Question 5

How does the abuse of Pentobarbital compare to the Benzodiazepines?

Answer 5

• Not as common

- Lower margin of safety

Question 6

What is the MOA of reward seen with Benzodiazepine and Barbiturate drugs?

Answer 6

1) Increased frequency/ duration of opening of GABA Cl- channels
2) GABA-A receptors are located on GABAnergic neurons in the VTA

Net result is dis-inhibition and activation of mesolimbic reward pathway.

Question 7

What is Gamma-Hydroxybutyric Acid (GHB)?

Answer 7

CNS depressant that has been used as a date rape drug

Question 8

What is the MOA of GHB?

Answer 8

Disinhibition of GABA-B receptors in the VTA

Question 9

List the five common psychostimulants.

Answer 9

1) Cocaine
2) Amphetamine
3) Methamphetamine
4) Methylphenidate
5) MDMA

Question 10

What is the trade name of Methylphenidate?

Answer 10

Ritalin

Question 11

What is the RR of addiction with the psychostimulants?

Answer 11

5

Question 12

What endogenous chemical do the psychostimulants mimic?

Answer 12

NE

Question 13

What drug has the strongest psychological dependence of any drug?

Answer 13

Cocaine

Question 14

What is cocaethylene?

Answer 14

Cocaine and alcohol mixed–this is the metabolite made in the liver

Question 15

What is cocaethylene associated with?

Answer 15

• Intensification of cocaine’s euphoric effects

- Most common fatal two-drug combination

Question 16

What amphetamine derivative is most commonly abused? Why?

Answer 16

Methamphetamine

- Can easily be burned/smoked

Question 17

What are the side effects seen with methamphetamine use?

Answer 17

Sympathomimetic

• Mydriasis
• Tachycardia
• HTN

Question 18

What is the MOA of MDMA (ecstacy)?

Answer 18

1) Blocks SERT transporters (5-HT)

2) Causes the release of 5-HT from presynaptic neurons

Question 19

What are the long-term effects of MDMA use in regards to 5-HT?

Answer 19

Can cause permanent 5-HT depletion

Question 20

What toxicity is associated with MDMA?

Answer 20

Acute hyperthermia and dehydration

Question 21

What phenotype is produced by long-term abuse of psychostimulants?

Answer 21

Toxic psychosis that cannot be distinguished from paranoid schizophrenia

Question 22

What is another name for a Psychedelic?

Answer 22

Hallucinogen

Question 23

List the drugs categorized as Psychedelics.

Answer 23

1) Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
2) Psilocybin
3) Ketamine
4) Phencyclidine

Question 24

What is the RR of addiction seen with the Psychedelics?

Answer 24

1

Question 25

What is the MOA of LSD and Psilocybin?

Answer 25

- Glutamate release - 5-HT2A agonist ****Gq-->Ip3--> increased Ca++ that causes glutamate release*****

Question 26

What is correlated with increased hallucinogen potency?

Answer 26

5-HT2 affinity

Question 27

Do LSD and Psilocybin activate the mesolimbic DA pathway?

Answer 27

NO--thus, low risk for addiction and no withdrawal syndrome

Question 28

What is the MOA of Ketamine and PCP?

Answer 28

NMDA antagonists that decrease activity of: - Cortex - Limbic system

Question 29

What is the RR of opioid addiction?

Answer 29

4

Question 30

What are the most commonly abused opioids?

Answer 30

1) Codeine 2) Heroin 3) Morphine 4) Oxycodone

Question 31

What is the MOA of euphoria seen with opioid use?

Answer 31

1) Activation of mu-opioid receptors | 2) Inhibition of GABAergic neurons in the VTA= disinhibition of VTA DA neurons

Question 32

What is the effect of kappa-opioid receptor agonism?

Answer 32

Dysphoria

Question 33

What is Naloxone used to treat?

Answer 33

Opioid receptor antagonist used to treat opioid overdose

Question 34

What drug is used to treat opioid withdrawal and addiction?

Answer 34

Methadone

Question 35

What drug is used as maintenance therapy in opioid addiction?

Answer 35

Naltrexone

Question 36

What is the active substance found in marijuana?

Answer 36

THC

Question 37

What is Dronabinol?

Answer 37

Synthetic THC

Question 38

What is Dronabinol used for clinically?

Answer 38

Chronic pain

Question 39

What is the RR of cannabinoid addiction?

Answer 39

2

Question 40

What is the MOA of THC?

Answer 40

Blocks GABA-A receptors on DA neurons in the VTA

Question 41

What is the mechanism of nictone addiction?

Answer 41

NAChR activation results in DA release in: - Nucleus accumbens - PFC