Drugs of Abuse

Question 1

Drugs of Abuse Duration of Symptoms

Alcohol, Tobacco, Marijuana, Inhalants, Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens, Narcotics, PCP

Answer 1

Alcohol:  1 hour per serving
Tobacco: 20 minutes
Marijuana: 2-4 hours
Inhalants: 5 minutes - 8 hours 
Stimulants: 5 minutes - 12 hours
Depressants: 1-16 hours 
Hallucinogens: 5 minutes - 12 hours
Narcotics: 4-24 hours
PCP: 4-6 hours

Question 2

Most Commonly Abused Prescription Drugs

Painkillers (3) Depressants (3) Stimulants (2)

Answer 2

Painkillers: Fentanyl, Hydrocodone, Oxycodone

Depressants: Alprazolam, Zolpidem, Zaleplon

Stimulants: Adderal, Methylphenidate

Question 3

Stimulant Drug Symptoms

Overdose (7) and Withdrawal (5)

Answer 3

Agitation
HTN
Tachycardia
Delusions
Hallucinations
Hyperthermia
Seizures

Apathy
Irritability
Sleep
Disorientation
Depression

Question 4

Depressant Drug Symptoms

Overdose (1) and Withdrawal (6)

Answer 4

Drunken behavior

Anxiety
Insomnia
Delirium
Tremors
Seizures
Death

Question 5

Opioid Drug Symptoms

Overdose (4) and Withdrawal (6)

Answer 5

Constricted pupils
Drowsy
Respiratory Depression
Death

Nausea
Chills 
Cramps
Lacrimation
Hyperpnea
Tremor

Question 6

Nicotine Addiction Pharmacotherapy

Drug with Mechanism of Action

Answer 6

Varenicline

Nicotinic receptor partial agonist

Question 7

Caffeine Uses (5)

Answer 7

Mental Alertness
Migraines
Asthma
ADHD
Improving memory

Question 8

Alcohol

Biotransformation (3) Metabolism Capability and Pharmacokinetics (3)

Answer 8

Alcohol dehydrogenase turns ethanol into acetaldehyde
Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase makes acetate
Thiokinase makes Acetyl CoA

7-10 grams of alcohol per hour (~1 drink)

Zero Order Kinetics:
Amount of ADH is rate limiting factor
Rate remains constant independent of concentration or amount of alcohol

Question 9

Acute Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

Complications (5) and Treatments (4)

Answer 9

Seizures
Delirium
Arrhythmias
Electrolyte Imbalances
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Diazepam
Lorazepam
Oxazepam
Thiamine (and Glucose)

Question 10

Alcohol Abuse Pharmacotherapy

Drugs (3) with Mechanisms of Action

Answer 10

Naltrexone: long acting opioid mu antagonist

Acamprosate: NMDA antagonist and GABAa agonist

Disulfiram: irreversible aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor

Question 11

Disulfiram Side Effects (6) and Cause

Answer 11

Caused by aldehyde buildup from even small amounts of alcohol ingestion

Flushing 
Headache
Vomiting
Sweating
Hypotension
Confusion

Question 12

Methanol or Ethylene Glycol Poisoning
Toxic Metabolites (2) and Treatments (2)

Answer 12

Formaldehyde (methanol)
Gyloxylic acid (ethylene glycol)

Ethanol
Fomepizole