Brain Chemistry and Patho
This is the main neurotransmitter involved in the reward and addiction pathway.
What is Dopamine?
This opioid antagonist attaches to receptors to reverse and block the effects of opioids; it is used for known or suspected overdose.
What is Naloxone (Narcan)?
The most serious manifestation of alcohol withdrawal, which can be life-threatening.
What is Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium (Delirium Tremens)?
Nicotine acts on the brain by binding to these specific receptors.
What are Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)?
According to the DEA, this Schedule of drugs has a high potential for abuse and no acceptable medical use (e.g., Heroin, LSD).
What is Schedule I?
The area of the brain known as the "reward center," which is less affected by dopamine and other neurotransmitters as tolerance develops.
What is the Limbic System?
A synthetic Schedule II opioid used to decrease painful withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings; it must be dispensed through a treatment program.
What is Methadone?
This maintenance drug works as aversion therapy by blocking the conversion of acetaldehyde, causing the patient to become ill if they drink alcohol.
What is Disulfiram (Antabuse)?
This antidepressant aids smoking cessation by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine.
What is Bupropion (Zyban)?
This substance acts by binding to drugs in the gut to prevent absorption and is usually given within one hour of ingestion.
What is Activated Charcoal?
The three distinct stages of the addiction cycle.
What are intoxication/binge, withdrawal/negative affect, and preoccupation/anticipation?
This alpha-2 adrenergic agonist is used to reduce withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and sweating, but it does not reduce cravings.
What is Clonidine (Catapres)?
This benzodiazepine is used during withdrawal to prevent seizures and delirium tremens and helps with agitation.
What is Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)?
a nicotinic receptor partial agonist that reduces the physical and mental pleasure received from smoking.
What is Varenicline (Chantix)?
Drugs like Xanax and Ambien fall into this schedule, indicating a low risk compared to Schedule III but still requiring a prescription.
What is Schedule IV?
While alcohol leads to sedative effects by enhancing GABAergic activity, it causes cognitive impairment by inhibiting the activity of this.
What is Glutamatergic activity (Glutamate)?
An opioid partial agonist often mixed with naloxone to prevent misuse; therapy typically starts 12–24 hours after the last opioid dose.
What is Buprenorphine?
A GABA agonist/glutamate antagonist used to help patients maintain abstinence; it can cause diarrhea and should be avoided in kidney disease.
What is Acamprosate (Campral)?
Examples of these include chewing gum, patches, and nasal sprays, which increase quit rates by 50-70%.
What is Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)?
Two notable adverse effects of administering activated charcoal.
What are pulmonary aspiration and bowel obstruction?
Chronic substance use can lead to this specific immune response within the brain, which maintains substance use disorder.
What is Neuroinflammation?
The typical duration of action for Naloxone, often requiring emergency services (911) because it is shorter than the opioid's duration.
What is 30 to 90 minutes?
This condition is a chronic memory loss caused by severe thiamine deficiency, often connected to alcohol misuse.
What is Korsakoff Syndrome?
Users of Varenicline (Chantix) should report these sleep-related side effects to their MD.
What are nightmares and sleepwalking?
While effective for many drugs, activated charcoal does not adsorb these substances (Name two).
What are electrolytes (magnesium, potassium, sodium) and metals (iron, lithium)?