Opioids Flashcards

1
Q

What type of drug are opioids? Uppers or downers?

A

Downers

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2
Q

What is the sub classification of opioids?

A
  1. Opiates

2. Synthetic opioids

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3
Q

What is sugars?

A

A mixture of cocaine and heroin in the South of Durban

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4
Q

What is unga?

A

A drug that is now being sold in the Western Cape

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5
Q

What is an opioid?

A

It is a dried juice of the plant poppy papaversomniferum

Opioids have the same effect on the body as opium

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6
Q

Where do the opioids act and as what?

A

They act as agonists on the mu receptors found in the brain, spinal cord and gut
They naturally reliev3 emotional pain and distress

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7
Q

What are the different receptors associated with opioids?

A

Mu, delta and kappa receptors

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8
Q

What is heroin?

A
  • Heroin is the most used illegal opioid in SA
  • in the western cape it is known as unga and is found as a white or brownish powder
  • it is smoked on tinfoil (chasing the dragon) or injected intravenously (mainlining) or injecting it intramuscularly by heating it in a teaspoon
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9
Q

What does opioid intoxication typically look like?

A
  1. The patient becomes euphoric and relief of tension
    They become apathetic, drowsy and slow
    Pupils become constructed and attention and concentration becomes impaired
    - slurred speech, memory impairment and suppression of the cough reflex occurs
    - in large doses suppression of respiration can occur and death
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10
Q

What occurs when a patient withdraws from opioids?

A

It is highly unpleasant:

  1. Gastrointestinal discomfort
  2. Insomnia
  3. Anxiety, irritability
  4. Pain like arthralgia or myalgia

Other symptoms:
Sweating, flushing, fever, chills, tachycardia, hypertension, dilated pupils

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