Therapeutics Drugs of Abuse Flashcards
Give two examples of stimulant drugs
Cocaine MDMA MCAT Mephedrone Speed
What are cathiones? What plant do they come from?
Stimulant drug that comes from the khat plant
Give an example of a stimulant cathione
Mepherdrone (MCAT, meow, meow)
What are the features of stimulant abuse?
Tachycardia Dilated pupils Hyperthermia Agitation and aggression Increased awareness Euphoria and extroverted behaviour Increased talkativeness Tremor and hypertonia Cardiac arrhythmia and cardiomyopathy
What is the management for stimulant abuse?
Reassurance
Diazepam (10mg IV)- repeat as needed
Active cooling mechanisms
Dantrolene may be given- muscle relaxant
Give some an example of a sedative
Opioids- Morphine, Heroin
Diazepams
What is used as a marker of heroin having been taken?
6-MAM
This is produced from the breakdown of heroin by esterases in the blood. 6-MAM is then converted to morphine in the liver and brain
What are some features of opioid abuse?
Euphoria Sedation Pain relief Respiratory suppression Constricted pupils Constipation Coma
What is codeine converted to?
Morphine
What is the treatment for opioid overdose?
Naloxone
Why might repeated doses of naloxone be required?
Naloxone has a short half life (30-60 minutes), shorter than that of heroin and morphine (3 hours)
What is methadone? When is it used?
Methadone is an opiate with a long half life (20-50 hours), it prescribed to reduce the effects of opiate withdrawal
Given two examples of hallucinogens
Phenylethylamines
NBOMe- potent serotonergic effects
Benzofurans- serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor
What are the features of hallucinogen abuse?
Hallucinations Confusion Agitation Tachycardia Seizures Elevated CK- rhabdomyolysis
What are the features of cannabis/cannabinoid abuse?
Euphoria Distorted vision, colours and sounds Hallucinations Confusion Panic Psychosis in long term use
