Exam 7: Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
Define drug abuse
Use of an illicit drug, excessive or nonmedical use of a licit drug, deliberate use of chemicals that may be harmful
Where does a majority of prescription drug diversion happen?
hospital, pharmacy or prescriber level
What do all addictive drugs have in common?
induce strong feelings of euphoria and reward via activation of the mesolimbic system
What is pharmacodynamic tolerance?
cellular response to a drug reduced with repeated use
What is pharmacokinetic tolerance?
Decreased quantity of the substance reaching the site it affects
What is cross-tolerance?
tolerance occurring within 2 systems at the same time- e.g. CNS and respiratory
where does the mesolimbic system originate and where does it project to?
ventral tegmental area, projects to: nucleus accumbens, amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex
Where do opioids target?
mew, kappa and delta receptors, dopaminergic pathways in the CNS
Do abused opioids develop tolerance, dependence, and addiction slowly or quickly?
Rapidly.
What is the antidote for a opioid overdose?
Naloxone
What are symptoms of an opioid withdrawal?
nausea and vomiting, tremor, muscle jerks, chills, cramps, lacrimation
What is the treatment for opioid withdrawal?
substitution therapy: methadone (agonist with less rush), buprenorphine (partial agonist)
What sedative-hypnotics are abused?
ethanol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, date rape drungs (flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyrate)
What can result in a withdrawal from a sedative hypnotic (think alcohol)
excessive CNS stimulation: anxiety, tremor, nausea and vomiting. Seizures are not uncommon
What is the treatment of withdrawal from sedative-hypnotics and/or alcoholism
Long acting sedative hypnotic (diazepem), naltrexone for alcoholism
What are the effects of nicotine?
selective agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor- enhancement of cognitive performance
What is the treatment of nicotine?
Varenicline- partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in VTA, occludes rewarding effects of nicotine
What are the effects of amphetamines?
Increase dopamine, NE and 5HT in synapse, causing a feeling of euphoria and self-confidence
What are symptoms of an ampthetamine overdose?
agitation, restlessness, tachycardia, hyperthermia, hyperreflexia, seizures
What are symptoms of amphetamine withdrawals?
abstinence syndrome: increased appetite, sleepiness, exhaustion, mental depression
What are the effects of cocaine?
inhibits CNS monoamine reuptake, euphoria, selfconfidence
What are the effects of overdoses of cocaine?
arrhythmias, seizures, respiratory depression
What is the effects of cocaine withdrawal?
abstinence syndrome (increased appetite, sleepiness, exhaustion, mental depression), depression of mood
What do cannabinoids target?
CB1 receptors
What is the neuronal signaling like with cannabinoids?
Backward signaling, the cannabis is released from post synaptic terminals to interact with presynaptic neurons
What are the effects of cannabinoids?
euphoria, disinhibition, uncontrollable laughter, changes in perception, vasodilation occurs, pulse rate is increased
