Addiction Medicine Flashcards
The majority of people with heroin addiction started on what drug?
- prescription opiates
To be diagnosed with a substance use disorder according to the DSM-5 the patient needs to have how many of the listed factors?
2 or greater
What viral infection is prevalent in IVDU?
-Hepatitis C infection
What are the basic differences between opiate intoxication and withdrawal?
- intoxication = patient will be lethargic, vitals will be diminished (everything slows down)
- withdrawal = patient will be restless, vitals will be increased (everything speeds up)
How do you manage opiate intoxication if the vital signs are unstable?
- Narcan
What drug is commonly used to control withdrawal symptoms?
- Suboxone
What is the main adverse effect with Naloxone (Narcan)?
- puts a patient into immediate withdrawal
If a patient is set to begin taking suboxone it is important that you instruct them to begin taking it after what?
- begin taking suboxone when they reach withdrawal
What is the main adverse effect with overdosing on Methadone?
- respiratory depression
What is the difference between suboxone and methadone in terms of MOA and half-life?
- subxone is a partial u-agonist and lasts ~24 hours
- methadone is a full u-agonist and lasts 8-59 hours
What is the main cardiovascular adverse effect of methadone?
- QT prolongation
What is the caveat with taking naltrexone/Vivitrol?
- needs to have opiates out of system for 10-14 days
What are the 3 common cocktail medications used to supplement the high of opiates?
- gabapentin
- clonidine
- benzodiazipines
When prescribing schedule II/III drugs to first time adults, you must limit the prescription amount to how many weeks?
- 1 week
What scale would you use to assess for alcohol withdrawal?
CIWA scale
