medications to treat substance abuse Flashcards
A 45-year-old man describes successful abstinence from alcohol for the past six months following inpatient detoxification. During his admission, he was started on a ‘deterrent’ medication. He takes this medication daily and reports that if he consumes alcohol he will ‘violently vomit’.
Which medication is the patient describing?
Disulfiram
disulfiram moa
irreversible inhibitor of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.
This inhibition causes the buildup of acetaldehyde. The build-up of acetaldehyde within twenty to thirty minutes of alcohol consumption results in unpleasant symptoms, including facial flushing and nausea and vomiting.
what alcohol dependence drug is safe with alochol and causes anti craving
Acamprosate (or Campral) is taken three times a day and has shown to be effective in preventing alcohol relapse in combination with psychological support following detoxification in alcohol dependence syndrome. It is typically described as an ‘anti-craving’ medication and the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Acamprosate has a minimal side-effect and risk profile and is safe in combination with alcohol.
what is the role of chlordiazepoxide in alcohol detoxification
Chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine often used as part of a reducing regime during alcohol detoxification.
A 38-year-old man presents with opioid dependence syndrome presents to clinic. He currently takes 30 mL of methadone daily. He wishes to come off of his methadone as he finds it too sedating and is finding the stigma of being on methadone challenging. He reports friends have successfully come off methadone after stitching to a ‘tablet that goes under your tongue’ and wishes to try this.
Which medication is the patient describing?
Buprenorphine is a mixed opioid agonist/antagonist. It is typically given as a sublingual tablet and provides an alternative opiate replacement therapy to methadone. Patient’s often describe buprenorphine as less sedating, which can be a benefit or drawback depending on the context and patient. Prescribers must also be aware that because of the opioid antagonist properties of methadone it can render regularly prescribed analgesia, such as co-codamol, ineffective.
moa bupornephornie and how is it given
mixed opioid agonist/antagonist.
what do you need to worn patients about when taking buprenorphine
pain relief will be inaffective
methadone has what role in dependence of a substance
s an opioid mu receptor agonist and is the commonest drug used as opiate replacement therapy for patients with opioid dependence syndrome. It is taken in liquid form.
naltrexone does what in opiod dependence
Naltrexone is an opioid receptor antagonist that can be used to aid with relapse prevention in previously opioid-dependent patients.
why is ondesatron used in alchl detox
Ondansetron is a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used as an anti-emetic. Ondansetron is often used to manage these symptoms during detoxification from alcohol or opiates.
A 45-year-old man describes successful abstinence from alcohol for the past six months following inpatient detoxification. During his admission, he was prescribed an ‘anti-craving medication’. He takes this medication three times a day and would like you to continue the prescription as he finds it very helpful. It is safe in combination with alcohol and he has experienced no side effects.
Which medication is he describing?
acamprostate
