Substances Flashcards
Triad of altered consciousness, respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils
Heroin intoxication
Hypertension, respiratory depression, bradycardia
Cushing’s reflex: coning of the brainstem
Distractability, insomnia, grandiosity, flight of ideas, activity increase (goal-directed), speech (extreme talkativeness), thoughtlessness (impulsive)
3 or more = manic episode and symptoms must last for 1 week
Anxiety, aggression, agitation, psychosis or delirium + mydriasis + change in vital signs
Amphetamine or cocaine (less psychotic features than amphetamine)
Common symptoms of stimulant intoxication = dilated pupils, hypertension, tachycardia
Heroin withdrawal
muscle spasms, joint pain, N/V, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, rhinorrhea and lacrimation, sweating
Amphetamine withdrawal symptoms?
depression, irritability, fatigue, increased appetite, psychomotor disturbance
what is the typical time frame for alcohol withdrawal to occur?
within 72 - 92 hours of cessation of drinking
what is the management of long term dependence on alcohol?
group/individual support therapy + counselling therapy
disulfiram
acamprosate
naltrexone
what are some of the mechanisms of the medications for long term dependence for alcohol?
disulfiram: inhibits ADH, leads to unpleasant effects of alcohol (flushing, tachycardia, hypotension), discouraging patient from drinking
acamprosate: GABA agonist and glutamate antagonist. reverses GABA and glutamate imbalances when abstaining from alcohol,
naltrexone: acts on opioid receptor of opioid antagonist. stops craving for alcohol.
what is the diagnostic criterion for alcohol withdrawal?
cessation of alcohol use that has been heavy and prolonged
2 or more of the following symptoms: tremors, irritability, insomnia, n/v, anxiety, psychomotor agitation, grand mal seizures, autonomic hyperactivity (anxiety, arousal, sweating, facial flushing, mydriasis, tachycardia, mild hypertension)
causing significant distress and impairing functioning
what is the treatment for alcoholic withdrawal?
diazepam 20mg oral, 2 hours until symptoms resolve
+ add thiamine 300mg IM/IV daily for 3 - 5 days then move on to oral 300mg daily for next weeks
what is the diagnostic criterion for delirium tremens
alcohol withdrawal syndrome + clouding of consciousness and confusion, visual hallucinations, marked tremor + other signs of autonomic instability - paranoid delusions, agitation, sleeplessness
what is the treatment for delirium tremens?
ideally prevention - starting diazepam 20mg oral upon withdrawal symptoms, every 2 hourly until symptoms subside
delirium tremens - high doses may be required that require specialist review
what is the triad of wernicke and korsakoff’s syndrome?
wernicke: ataxia, oculomotor dysfunction (6th nerve palsy, nystagmus), confusion
korsakoff’s syndrome: anterogade and retrogade amnesia + confabulation
what is the treatment of wernicke’s encephalopathy and korsakoff’s syndrome?
thiamine (b1) 100mg oral 2 times BD for 1 - 2 weeks.
korsakoff’s require a longer period of b1 for about 3 - 12 weeks
what are the symptoms of opioid intoxication?
(depressant) CNS depression GI dysmotility respiratory depression analgesia n/v slurred speech hypotension, bradycardia, pupillary constriction seizures (in overdose)
what are the symptoms of opioid overdose?
pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, CNS depression (decreased HR, RR, LOC)
what are some common complications of opioid use?
HIV infection, hep b, hep c
sudden pulmonary oedema d/t opioid toxicity and respiratory depression
local abscess, venous thrombosis, myopathy
coma in overdose, cerebral oedema
perforation of nasal septum d/t repeated heroin sniffing
infective endocarditis (IV use)
peripheral nerve compression
what is the DSM 5 diagnostic criterion of opioid intoxication?
must have pupillary constriction LOC/drowsiness sluring of speech impairments in attention or memory psychological or behavioural changes that have arisen during or shortly after the usage
what is the DSM 5 diagnostric criterion of opioid withdrawal?
recent cesation of usage of opioid that was previously heavy or recent administraiton of an opioid antagonist
3 of the following developing within minutes to several days of criterion:
mood changes
Gi disturbances which cause n/v/d
muscular aches
lacrimination or rhinorrhea
pupillary dilatation, piloerection, sweatin g
what are the common symptoms of opioid withdrawal?
(reverse of depresant effects) n/v/d increased vital signs dilated pupils sweating, hot and cold flushes piloerection, tremor, restlessness muscle aches, abdominal cramping
what are the common symptoms of opioid withdrawal?
(reverse of depresant effects) n/v/d increased vital signs dilated pupils sweating, hot and cold flushes piloerection, tremor, restlessness muscle aches, abdominal cramping
Naloxone needs to be titrated when administered for opioid intoxication because?
if not titrated, can precipitate withdrawal and sudden reversal can lead to MI in elderly or CAD, agitated delirium