Illicit Drugs and Toxidromes Flashcards
What are the most commonly use illicit drugs?
Cannabis
opiates
cocaine
How can drugs cause harm?
Direct acute neurological effects indirect acute effects direct chronic neurological effects complications of route of administration effects of co-morbodities
How can heroin be administered?
Oral
Smoked
IV
How can cannabis be administered?
oral
smoked
How can cocaine be administered?
nasal
smoked
IV
How can amphetamines be administered?
Oral
nasal
smoked
IV
How can LSD be administered?
Orally
How can Pencyclidine (PCP) be administered?
Orally
nasally
smoked
Which neurotransmitters does heroin act upon?
Dopamine and GABA
Which neurotransmitters does cannabis act upon?
GABA
5HT/Ach/THC
Which neurotransmitters do cocaine and amphetamines act upon?
dopamine
noradrenaline
Which neurotransmitters does LSD act upon?
5HT/Ach/THC/DA
Which neurotransmitters does PCP act upon?
Dopamine
5HT/Ach/TCH
GABA
How does alcohol cause euphoria?
Acting on dopamine and opioid receptors
How does alcohol cause anxiety and ataxia?
Increasing GABA
How does alcohol cause sedation and amnesia?
Increasing GABA
Decreasing NMDA
Stimulants enhance transmission at the monoamine synapses. What effects does this have?
Increases behavioural and motor activity Increases alertness Disrupts sleep Causes eurphoria Increases confidence e
What are the side effects of stimulants?
Anxiety
Insomnia
Irritability
What effects do stimulants have as a result of their stimulation of adrenergic activity?
Tachycardia, hypertension, risk fo arrhythmia, sweats, hallucinations, agitation, dilated pupils, elevated temperature
What symptoms occur in serotonin syndrome?
Altered mental status (agitation, confusion, seizures) autonomic changes (hyperthermia, diaphoresis, diarrhoea, tachycardia) neuromuscular effects (myoclonus, clonus, hyperreflexia, tremor)
Cocaine is a stimulant which has a rapid onset and penetrates the blood brain barrier. What is its half life?
30-90 minutes
What is the mechanism of action of cocaine?
Blocks reuptake of dopamine, noradrenaline and 5HT
Amphetamines are stimulants which have a rapid onset and penetrate the blood brain barrier. What are their half life?
up to 12 hours
What is the mechanism of action of amphetamines?
Enhance release of dopamine and noradrenaline from pre-synaptic terminals causing a dopaminergic pleasure effects and noradrenergic excess
What are the acute neurological problems associated with stimulants?
Anxiety, sleep deprivation, paranoia, aggression, paranoid psychosis, cognitive dysfunction