Opiates - Common Types
Opium, Codiene (syrup), Morphine, Herion
Opiates- three primary effects
Analgesic - relieves pain.
Antitussive - relieves cough.
Constipation - firms the stool
Opiates: Side effects
Opiates: withdrawal symptoms
Opiates: Oxycontin
Popularity soared in the late 90s. Users grind up the tablets & snort the powder, or mix it with water & inject it like heroin.
Opiates: Krokodil (Desomorphine)
A derivative of morphine (1932-US) that has sedative and analgesic effects 8-10x stronger than morphine. Fast onset and short duration, little nausea or respiratory depression compared to morphine. Often highly impure, scale-like appearance of skin. High is similar to heroin, but lasts 1-1.5 hours instead of 4-8 hours.
Opiates: Tramadol (Ultram)
(1994 in US) A centrally acting synthetic analgesic used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. Agonist that induces serotonin release, and inhibits the reuptake of norephinephrine. Several states have elected to make it a Schedule IV drug.
Opiates: Tapentadol
A new synthetic atypical opioid. Made to mimic the agonistic properties of tramadol’s metabolite, M1. Schedule II, potency is somewhere between tramadol & morphine, closest chemical relative of tramadol.
Commonly Used Opiates
Heroin (smack), Morphine, Methadone, Meperidine, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, Propoxyphene, Codeine, Loperamide, Diphenoxylate, Opium tincture
Etc. - tylenol w/ codiene, percocet, tylox, vicodin
NSAID Classification
Salicylates - includes: Aspirin, Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Others - Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve), Ketoprofen (Orudis KT)
Naproxen (Aleve)
Single dose lasts for 8-12 hours, used for patients with persistant pain. Available as prescription since 1976 & became available OTC in 1994.
NSAID Physiological Effects
NSAID: Common Side Effects
Reye’s Syndrome
Potentially fatal complication of colds, flu or chicken pox in children. Believed to be caused by salicylate. Swelling of the brain and liver.
Amphetamines: History
1887- Synthesized
1927- effects are discovered: reduced fatigue, increased alertness, & a sense of confident euphoria.
1932- Marketed as Benzedrine in an OTC inhaler for nasal congestion. Abused.
193- Available by prescription as a pill. Used to treat narcolepsy and hyperactivity
1940- Was widely used to reduce fatigue in soldiers (still is & note: Provigil). Both dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) & methamphetamine (Methedrine) became readily available
1971-All potent amphetamine-like compounds in nasal inhalers were withdrawn from the market.
Methamphetamine I
Especially strong amphetamine with a high abuse potential.
Currently, 3-6% of U.S. adolescents use it annually.
Due to ease of production, it is often clandestinely manufactured.
Toxic chemicals in these labs pose a threat to residents, neighbors, & the environment.
Methamphetamine I: Names and Administration
Speed or crystal: swallowed or sniffed
Crank: injected
Ice: smoked
Amphetamine Approved Uses
Narcolepsy
Short term weight reduction
Hyperkinetic Behavior (ADD/ADHD)
ADHD Facts
≈11% of children 4-17 years of age (or 6.4 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD as of 2011. Rates of diagnosis have been increasing by about 3-5%/year since 1997. Is 2-3x more common in boys than girls.
About 30-50% of people diagnosed in childhood continue to have symptoms into adulthood & between 2-5% of adults have it. Stimulant medication is used as treatment, therapeutic doses are administered.
ADHD Medications: Trade and Generic
Adderall; amphetamine (& XR - eXended Release)
Dexedrine and Dextrosta; dextroamphetamine
Vyvanse; lisdexamfetamine
Concerta and Ritalin; methylphenidate (long acting)
Metadate; methylphenidate (& ER=Extended Release)
Daytrana; methylphenidate (a patch)
Focalin; dexmethylphenidate
Cylert; pemoline
Strattera; atomextine
ADHD - Medication Side Effects
-Irritability, anorexia, insomnia, tics, psychotic symptoms, & hypertension.
Most common side effect of long term concern is growth suppression. Recommend stopping dosage during weekend & summer holidays if possible.
ADHD Meds: Effects on Neurotransmission
Nasal Decongestants: Generic and Brand name
ephedrine; Primatene metaraminol; Aramine naphazoline; Privine oxymetazoline; Afrin, Dristan phenylephrine; Neo-Synephrine phenylpropanolamine; Contac, Dimetapp, etc. pseudoephedrine; Sudafed, Comtrex, etc. tetrahydozoline; Visine, Tyzine, etc.
Appetite Suppressants: Generic and Brand name
diethylpropion; Tenuate fenfluramine; Pondimin mazindol; Sanorex phendimetrazine; Bondril, Plegine, Preludin phenylpropanolamine; Acutrim, Dexatrim