Heroin + Opioids Flashcards
Heroin:
Hypodermic Needle-Syringes
Invented in 1853 by Pravaz and Wood for intravenous morphine injection.
Heroin Synthesis
Heroin (diacetylmorphine) synthesized by Felix Hoffman at Bayer in 1897.
Heroin Marketing
Bayer heavily marketed heroin for respiratory ailments post-synthesis.
Heroin Addiction Comparison
British Pharmaceutical Codex notes heroin as addictive as morphine in 1911.
Heroin Act of 1924
Made heroin manufacture and possession illegal in the U.S.
Opiate Definition
Heroin is an opiate chemically similar to morphine and other narcotics.
Heroin Source
Processed from morphine extracted from specific poppy plant varieties.
Heroin Appearance
Typically sold as white or brownish powder, often cut with other substances.
Fentanyl Strength
Fentanyl is 80-100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin.
Heroin Administration Shift
Observed shift from injection to sniffing and smoking due to increased purity.
Opiate Receptors Stimulation
Heroin directly stimulates opiate receptors in the brain.
Blood-Brain Barrier Crossing
Heroin crosses the blood-brain barrier and converts to morphine in the brain.
Heroin Short-Term Effects
Abusers experience a rush, skin flushing, drowsiness, and slowed functions.
Heroin Tolerance
Users develop rapid tolerance to heroin’s effects, leading to withdrawal symptoms.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Include restlessness, pain, insomnia, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms.
Chronic Heroin Abuse Consequences
Include vein damage, infections, organ diseases, and respiratory complications.
Injection Equipment Sharing Risks
Can lead to hepatitis B and C, HIV, and other blood-borne viruses.
Opiate Substitution Therapy
Switching to milder withdrawal-inducing drugs like methadone or buprenorphine.
Pharmacotherapy for Heroin Use Disorder
Using methadone or buprenorphine to taper off heroin addiction.
Maintenance Therapies
Designed to reduce withdrawal symptoms, cravings, and overdose risks.
Blockade Effect of Medications
Prevents users from getting high from heroin, aiding in abstinence.
Opioid Replacement Therapies Efficacy
Maintenance therapies aim to reduce withdrawal symptoms and overdose risk.
Opioids:
Opioids
Class of drugs for pain relief, includes natural & synthetic variants
Analgesia
Pain relief without loss of consciousness
Descending inhibitory systems
Neural pathways that reduce pain signals
C-fibers
Nerve fibers transmitting slow, chronic pain signals
Polymorphisms in MOR gene
Genetic variations in the opioid receptor gene
Pharmacokinetics
Study of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
Reward pathway
Brain circuit activated by pleasurable stimuli
Oxycodone CR
Controlled-release oxycodone for chronic pain
Misuse rates
Percentage of opioid use contrary to prescription
Addiction rates
Percentage of users with harmful, compulsive drug use
Universal Precautions
Standard care practices to prevent opioid misuse
Opioid antagonist
Drug that blocks opioid receptors, used to reverse overdose
Opioid tapering
Gradual reduction of opioid dosage to prevent withdrawal
Tapering rate
Recommended percentage decrease in opioid dose per month
Opioid discontinuation risks
Increased risk of overdose or suicide after stopping opioids
Patient-Centered Opioid Tapering
Individualized, voluntary approach to reducing opioid dosage
