Pharmacology of Reward & Addiction Flashcards

1
Q

Rapidity of onset of drug action by MOA

A

Inhalation > IV > Insufflation > Oral

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Pharmacokinetic properties affecting addictive liability

A

Rapidity of onset of action: Inhalation > IV > Insufflation > Oral

Half life: Short > Long

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Cocaine - Mechanism

A

Inhibits dopamine reuptake by blocking DAT
Also blocks SERT and NET

Relative risk of addiction = 5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Methamphetamine - Mechanism

A

Inhibits dopamine reuptake and increases DA release by reversing DAT
Also blocks SERT and NET

Relative risk of addiction = 5

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Nicotine - Mechanism

A

Agonist at nicotinic receptor

Relative risk of addiction = 4

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

MDMA - Mechanism

A

Phenylethylamine class of hallucinogens

Blocks and reverses SERT causing decreased 5HT re-uptake as well as 5HT release

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Hallucinogens - Mechanism

A

5HT2A receptor partial agonist

Relative risk of addiction = 1

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Dissociative Anesthetics - Agents & Mechanism

A

NMDA receptor antagonists; also block reuptake of DA and 5HT

PCP
Ketamine
Dextromethorphan

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Opioid mechanism & Reinforcing effects

A

Agonist at endogenous mu opioid receptors
Release of histamine

Cause euphoria, analgesia, sedation, anxiety reduction, and warm flushing of the skin (“rush”)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Opioid tolerance

A

High levels of tolerance develop to euphoria, respiratory depression, analgesia, sedation, and nausea

Little tolerance develops to constipation or pupillary constriction

Withdrawal symptoms develop after 1-2 weeks of daily use

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Treatment for opiate withdrawal

A

Clonidine (alpha-2 agonist) alleviates symptoms of sympathetic overactivity (nausea/vomiting, cramps, sweating, tachycardia)

Methadone / Buprenorphine via cross-tolerance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Mechanism of CNS Depressants

A

All classes act to facilitate GABA activity at Cl- receptors

Barbituates and EtOH also decrease glutamate activity at higher doses

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

CNS Depressant Overdose - Presentation & Treatment

A

Confusion, emotional lability, depressed reflexes, respiratory depression, hypotension, coma, death

Treatment:
Benzos: Flumazenil (specific receptor antagonist)
Alcohol: Thiamine + glucose + electrolytes
All: Cardiopulmonary support, IV fluids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

CNS depressant withdrawal syndrome

A

Rebound hyperexcitability of the CNS including insomnia, anxiety, sweating, nausea/vomiting, grand mal seizures, fever, delirium, psychosis, death

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

CNS stimulant toxicity - Presentation and Treatment

A

PNS sympathetic overactivity: tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, sweating, psychomotor agitation, angina, MI, arrhythmias, stroke, paranoid psychosis

Treatment: Diazepam for seizures, vasodilatos (Phentolamine) to reduce BP, Haloperidol for overt psychosis
Supportive: Cardiopulmonary support, control of fever

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

CNS Stimulants - Tolerance and Withdrawal

A

Tolerance develops to anorexia, euphoria, and hyperthermia; supersensitivity may develop to psychomotor effects and paranoia

Withdrawal is mild and includes fatigue, depression; if severe, may be treated with TCADs/Buproprion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Nicotine toxicity

A

60mg = fatal dose

Toxicity presents as nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, salivation, diarrhea, headache, hypotension, irregular pulse, convulsions, and death by respiratory failure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Nicotine - Tolerance and withdrawal

A

Tolerance develops to euphoric effects and nausea

Withdrawal characterized by irritability, depressed mood, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, increased appetite/weight gain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Nicotine replacement therapy

A

Peak nicotine blood levels are lower than with smoking, so withdrawal symptoms are suppressed without production of the same euphoric effects

20% abstinence rate at 12 months

20
Q

Zyban

A

i.e. Buproprion XR

Current treatment of choice for nicotine addiction when combined with NRT

21
Q

Chantix

A

Aka Varenicline

Partial agonist at nicotine receptors; eases withdrawal symptoms and blocks euphoric CNS effects of smoking when users continue to smoke

22
Q

Indoleamines

A

Class of hallucinogenic drugs which act as 5HT2A partial agonists, causing altered perception

LSD
DMT
Psilocybin

23
Q

MDMA Toxicity and Treatment

A

Anxiety, dissociation, depersonalization, paranoid, confusion, palpitations, hypertension, hyperthermia, convulsions

Treatment:
Benzodiazepines for severe anxiety/panic
Antipsychotics for hallucinations

24
Q

PCP Toxicity & Treatment

A

Delirium, tachypnea, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, muscle rigidity (rhabdomyolysis), coma, seizures, death from cardiopulmonary failure

Also presents with belligerence, agitation, violence, and psychosis

Treatment: Phentolamine or hyralazine for hypertension, Diazepam for convulsions, antipsychotics for hallucinations

25
Q

Inhalants

A

All classes are lipid-soluble organic compounds, i.e. glues and adhesives, aerosols, cleaning solutions, paint thinners, fuels

Mechanism: CNS depression causing euphoria, giddiness, light headedness, and disinhibition

26
Q

Anticholinergic agents

A

i.e. Benzotropine, Scopolamine, Atropine, Datura

Block mAChRs - can cause mood elevation, hallucination, deliriu

Acute toxicity - Disorientation/delirium, memory impairment, dry mouth, unreactive pupils

Treatment: Physostigmine (AChEI)

27
Q

Absorption & Distribution of EtOH

A

Rapid absorption; presence of food in GI tract slows absorption by delaying passage to small intestine, where absorption is greatest

Distributes into total body water with greatest equilibration in well-vascularized organs; less distribution to fat than water, so women develop more highly concentrated BAC than men

28
Q

Major pathway of EtOH metabolism

A

EtOH is converted to acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase; acetaldehyde is converted to acetic acid by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase

0 order kinetics - metabolism occurs at a constant rate of 7-10 g/hour corresponding to a BAC reduction of 0.02/hour

29
Q

What underlies the alcohol flushing reaction?

A

Some Asian sub-populations have high rates of mutations in the high affinity form of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase; this causes excess accumulation of acetaldehyde, which is responsible for the flushing reaction

30
Q

Antabuse - Mechanism

A

Inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase; results in 5-10X increase in acetaldehyde levels causing headache, nausea, vomiting, orthostatic hypotension, and convulsions

31
Q

Minor pathway of EtOH metabolism

A

Accounts for 10-25% of ethanol metabolism at higher BACs

Ethanol is converted to acetaldehyde by CYP450-2EI (mixed function oxidase); acetaldehyde is converted to acetic acid by aldehyde oxidase

Induction of this pathway by ethanol increases metabolism of acetaminophen to hepatotoxic metabolites

32
Q

What is the role of NAD/NADH in alcohol metabolism and metabolic disruptions associated with EtOH abuse?

A

Alcohol dehydrogenase requires NAD as a cofactor in the metabolism of EtOH to acetaldehyde, generating NADH; NADH must be re-oxidized to NAD for the pathway to continue but can accumulate in chronic EtOH abuse

33
Q

Metabolic consequences of NADH accumulation in chronic EtOH abuse

A

Hypoglycemia - via decreased gluconeogenesis
Lactic acidosis

Convulsions - via increased Mg2+ excretion

Fatty liver - via increased fatty acid synthesis and decreased fat breakdown

Gout - via decreased uric acid excretion

34
Q

Acute CNS effects of EtOH

A

Potentiation of GABA pathways and inhibition of glutamate NMDA pathways

Depression of inhibitory cortical neurons is seen first, resulting in a stimulatory phase prior to CNS depression

35
Q

Sleep effects of EtOH

A

Suppression of Stage IV and REM sleep

Rebound REM upon withdrawal increases likelihood of nightmares

36
Q

Hepatic effects of EtOH

A

Initial reversible damage by increased fatty acid deposition causing fatty liver disease and alcoholic hepatitis

Eventual cell death and replacement by collagen causing irreversible cirrhosis (20% of chronic alcoholics); decreased synthesis of clotting proteins increases bleeding time, enlargement of the liver leads to portal hypertension, decreased venous return, ascites, and esophageal varices

37
Q

GI effects of EtOH

A

GI irritation, gastric ulceration, gastritis, pancreatitis, decreased absorption of AAs, thiamine, and B12

38
Q

Cardiovascular effects of EtOH

A

1-2 drinks/day may be cardioprotective via increased HDL and decreased platelet adhesiveness

Chronic alcohol use causes:
Vasodilation (blocks vasoconstrictor response to cold) and myocardial damage

39
Q

Renal effects of EtOH

A

Inhibits ADH causing diuresis

40
Q

Wernicke’s encephalopathy

A

Thiamine (B1) deficiency

Presents with classic triad of opthalmoplegia, nystagmus, and ataxia

41
Q

Chronic CNS effects of EtOH

A

Korsakoff’s psychosis - Due to Thiamine (B1) deficiency; presents as disorientation, amnesia, confabulations

Cerebral atrophy - frontal lobe degeneration with irreversible personality changes and dementia

Cerebellar atrophy - irreversible ataxia

42
Q

Alcohol withdrawal - Presentation & Treatment

A

Agitation, tremor, insomnia, anorexia, disorientation, seizures

Treated with benzodiazepines (lorazepam), a2 adrenergic agonists (Clonidine)

43
Q

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

A

Pre/postnatal growth retardation + altered morphogenesis + intellectual disability

1st trimester use - risk of morphogenic abnormality
2nd trimester use - risk of spontaneous abortion
3rd trimester use - risk of decreased fetal growth

44
Q

Alcohol DDIs

A

In a non-dependent alcoholic with normal liver function, alcohol induces CYP2E1 causing faster metabolism; can precipitate acetaminophen toxicity

Acute synergistic effects with CNS dependents; chronically, cross-tolerance can develop

Aspirin - GI bleeding

Metronidazole - Antabuse-like reaction

45
Q

Treatment of acute EtOH intoxication

A

Respiratory support
IV fluids
Glucose + Thiamine
Electrolytes (K+ and Mg2+)

46
Q

Acamprosate

A

Weak NMDA receptor antagonist - may mediate glutamate hyperexcitability during alcohol withdrawal

Reduction in alcohol craving and relapse rates in conjunction with psychotherapy