Illicit drugs (mechanism of action)

Question 1

MechanismDrugs which interfere with ionotropic receptors or ion channels

Answer 1

ExamplesAlcohol, nicotine, benzodiazepines, ketamine

Question 2

MechanismDrugs which interfere with G coupled receptors

Answer 2

ExamplesOpioids, cannabinoids, y-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Question 3

MechanismDrugs that target monoamine transporters

Answer 3

ExamplesAmphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine

Question 4

Opioids

Answer 4

DrugOpioids
Street namesHeroin = Smack, horse, junk, skag, brown, Harry, H
EffectsEuphoria, drowsiness, constipation, pupillary constriction, respiratory depression
Withdrawal featuresPiloerection, insomnia, restlessness, dilated pupils, yawning, sweating, abdominal cramps

Question 5

Amphetamine and cocaine are

Answer 5

DrugAmphetamine and cocaine
Street namesAmphetamines = Speed, meth, ice, uppers
Cocaine = Snow, crack, coke, rock
EffectsIncreased energy, insomnia, hyperactivity, euphoria, paranoia, reduced appetite
Withdrawal featuresHypersomnia, hyperphagia, depression, irritability, agitation, vivid dreams, increased appetite

Question 6

MDMA (ecstasy)

Answer 6

DrugMDMA (ecstasy)
Street namesMDMA = XTC, E, Eccies, pills, Adam, Mandy
EffectsIncreased energy, increased sweating, jaw clenching, euphoria, enhanced sociability, increased response to touch
Withdrawal featuresDepression, insomnia, depersonalisation, derealisation

Question 7

Cannabis

Answer 7

DrugCannabis
Street namesCannabis = Marijuana, weed, pot, grass, joint, mull, cone, dope, ganja, hash, chronic
EffectsRelaxation, intensified sensory experience, paranoia, anxiety, injected conjunctivae
Withdrawal featuresInsomnia, reduced appetite, irritability

Question 8

Hallucinogens

Answer 8

DrugHallucinogens
Street namesLSD = Trips, Tripper, Tab, Stars, Smilies, Rainbows, Paper
EffectsPerceptual changes, pupillary dilation, tachycardia, sweating, palpitations, tremors, inco-ordination
Withdrawal featuresNo recognised withdrawal syndrome

Question 9

Katamine

Answer 9

DrugKetamine
Street namesKetamine = Vitamin K, Super K, Special K, K, Green, donkey dust
EffectsEuphoria, dissociation, ataxia, hallucinations, muscle rigidity
Withdrawal featuresNo recognised withdrawal syndrome

Question 10

Which of the following drugs acts by stimulating dopamine release?

Answer 10

Amphetamine stimulates dopamine release in addition to causing internalisation of the dopamine transporters from the cell surface. Cocaine blocks dopamine transporters but does not stimulate the release of dopamine.
The main mechanism by which cocaine and amphetamine act is by increasing levels of dopamine in the synaptic cleft. They do this however in slightly different ways.

Cocaine directly blocks the dopamine transporter (Massaro 2002), meaning that dopamine cannot be pumped back into the cell. This results in increased levels of dopamine in the synaptic cleft.

Amphetamine acts via two separate ways (Saunders et al 2000). Firstly it causes the dopamine transporter to internalise (leave the plasma membrane). This lack of dopamine transporters leads to a build up of dopamine in the synaptic cleft. Amphetamine also causes the presynaptic cytoplasmic vesicles to release their dopamine stores and so directly causes an increase of dopamine into the synaptic cleft.