WK 8- OPIATES, BENZODIAZEPINES AND AMPHETAMINES Flashcards
What is the MOA of opioids
Agonises Mu opiod receptor-> decreases release of GABA and increases the release of dopamine into the cortex
Are opioids depressants or stimulants
Depressants
What is an example of a short acting and long acting opioid
SA: Heroin
LA: methadone
What are opioids used for therapeutcially
Treating pain (acute more than chronic)
What are the major risks associated with using opioids
Accidental overdose leading to respiratory depression-> opioids suppress your respiratory drive
What is the difference between opiates and opioids
Opioids are synthetic versions that mimic the action of natural opiates
What are some of the effects of opioids (acute)
Pain relief, Heightened sense of well being, intense pleasure (not all people like this feeling- this is the driver of whether the person can develop addiction), warm, sleepy, impaired balance & incoordination, Slow breathing & HR and low BP, dry mouth, small pupils, Reduced appetite & sexual urges, Nausea, vomiting
What are some of the symptoms of overdose/high doses of opioids
Impaired concentration, drowsiness, Nausea, vomiting, Sweating, itching, increased urinary output or retention, Pinpoint pupils, drop in temperature, Breathing slow and shallow -Respiratory depression, Leukoencephalopathy (smoked heroin), Hypotension, bradycardia, irregular heart, Coma, Death
How are companies making pharmaceutical opioids ‘injection/tamper proof’
adding naloxone→ causes opiates to inactivate and prevent the high-> if taken orally though, the naloxone binds to opiate receptors in the GIT and prevents opiate induced constipation
What are the 5 steps to take to treat an opioid overdose
- DRABC→ danger, response, airway, breathing, consciousness
- Recovery position
- Ambulance
- Oxygen
- IV/IM Naloxone (Narcan)→ boot of the opiate from the opiate receptors and cause respiratory depression to be removed and person will begin to breathe on their own and wake up (if they respond, you then repeat→ 8-10mg should be max dosage)
What are the key symptoms of opiate withdrawal
symptoms (runny nose, yawning, goosebumps, fatigue)- subjectively very difficult to cope with, often accompanied by a sense of doom
What are the risks associated with opioid withdrawal
safe unless there are severe medical or psychiatric co-morbidities→ except in pregnancy where opiate withdrawal is FATAL TO FOETUS (will cause miscarriage)
When does the onset of heroin withdrawal begin
8-24 hours and lasts around 4-10 days
When does the onset of methadone withdrawal begin
12-48 hours after and lasts for 10-20 days
What withdrawal scale is used to assess opioid withdrawal
COWS/SOWS (subjective opiod withdrawal scale (report from patient), one is a report from the practitioner
What approach should be used to cease opioid use
Any can be used, ‘swap’ therapies hold the best long term functional success in established dependence
What pharmaceuticals are used in opioid withdrawal
Buprenorphine or methadone can be used in withdrawal or as substitution therapy
What is the public health program used to target opioid use
AIMS-
Aims to; Reduce the spread of BBV, Reduce injection related harms, Reduce crime rates, Improve engagement in treatment
Requirements→ generally over 18 and opiate DEPENDENT