11 Drugs of Abuse-Pharmacology

Drugs of Abuse
Drugs of Abuse
Excessive use of drugs or chemical substances for intoxicating or mind
altering effects is called substance abuse. Abused substances are used for
nontherapeutic effects on the body or mind. Some of them often called illicit
substances.
Illicit substances: They are illegal to make, sell or use.They include things
like cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, and hallucinogens.
Drugs of Abuse and Illicit Drugs
Classification of drugs of Abuse
Drugs of Abuse can be classified into 3 groups
Stimulants or Sympathomimetics
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”)
Hallucinogens
Marijuana
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
Synthetic cannabinoids
Other Drugs Of Abuse

Ethanol
Prescription drugs (particularly opioids)
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
Sympathomimetics are stimulants that mimic the sympathetic nervous system,
producing “fight-or-flight” responses. Aside from their sympathetic stimulants,
many of these have a remarkable ability to produce pleasure and excitements.
Cocaine
Amphetamines
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
Synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”)
Cocaine
Derived from “Erythroxylon Coca Shrub”
It inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine into the adrenergic neuron, thus increasing
the amount of catecholamines available at the synapse. Stimulates pleasure and
excitement center in the brain.
Smoking is an extremely effective route of administration,
Action of Cocaine
It causes an intense euphoria ( a feeling of great happiness and excitement) or “rush”
that is followed rapidly by an intense dysphoria (f feeling unwell or unhappy) or
“crash.” It is this immediate positive reinforcement, followed rapidly by the negative
reinforcement, that makes the drug, particularly in this form, so addictive.
Complications
A few of the more common reasons for cocaine users to come to the emergency
department include psychiatric complaints (depression precipitated by cocaine
dysphoria, agitation/paranoia), convulsions, hyperthermia (due to peripheral
vasoconstriction), and chest pain (coronary vasoconstriction).
Cocaine+ alcohol = cocaethylene - Cardiotoxic
Treatment of toxicity
Cocaine convulsion-benzodiazepines
(lorazepam)
Hyperthermia: antipyretics
Amphetamines
It is a sympathomimetics
Actions are similar to those of cocaine. Some of them produce longer
duration of euphoria.
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)
MDMA commonly known as ecstasy or Molly and it is a hallucinogenic
amphetamine with profound serotonin-releasing effects
It is popular in late-night “rave” parties, dance clubs, and concerts.
It gives pleasurable feeling, sense of well-being, social interactivity and sexual
offenses.
MDMA can cause bruxism (teeth grinding) and trismus (jaw clenching), which
explain the baby pacifiers and lollipops or chewing gums have been
popularized among “ravers.”
Complications
Profound hyperthermia, altered mental status, and movement disorders
known as the serotonin syndrome
NDMA toxicity: renal toxicity and cause renal failure
Treatments
Cyproheptadine is a serotonin antagonist-effective for serotonin syndrome.
More fluid or water for treatment of dehydration
Synthetic cathinones (“bath salts”)
Cathiones contain psychoactive elements found in evergreen shrub of East
African and Arabian countries as “Khat”
It is popular as “Bath salts” because it is packed as “pond water cleaner”
Methcathinone, butylone, methylene dioxypyrovalerone, and naphyrone are
just a few examples of synthetic cathinones. These drugs increase the
release and inhibit the reuptake of catecholamines (norepinephrine,
epinephrine, and dopamine) in a manner very similar to cocaine and
amphetamines
Route of administration: snorted or ingested,

or even injected.
Treatment is similar to cocaine and amphitamines
Hallucinogens
 Marijuana
 Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
 Synthetic cannabinoids
Marijuana
It is plant derivative and potent psychosomatic stimulators. It contains
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and it acts on cannabinoid receptor (CB1)
CB1 receptors are activated by marijuana and cause physical relaxation,
hyperphagia (increased appetite), increased heart rate, decreased muscle
coordination, conjunctivitis, and minor pain control.
THC can produce euphoria, followed by drowsiness and relaxation. THC
decreases muscle strength and impairs highly skilled motor activity such as
that required to drive a car.
Marujuana also stimulates the amygdale and GABA receptors. The stimulation of
Amygdala causes the user to have a sense of novelty to anything the user
encounters through an enhancement of sensory activity. Withdrawn effect cause
boredom and loss of interests in life.
Effect on GABA cause loss of short term memories and mental activity.
Long term effects also cause respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis, lungs
infection, COPD and other mental illness
Withdrawal may include depression, pain, and irritability.
THC is available as the prescription product dronabinol- to treat emesis and to

stimulate the appetite.
Synthetic cannabinoids
They are often known under the names as “spice” or “K2”. Since the synthetic
cannabinoids is much different from the from the cannabinoids found in
marijuana plants, users do not test positive for THC with traditional drug tests.
They have similar effects such as hallucination and sympathomimetic effects.
Ethanol
It is called Alcohol and produced by fermentation of fruits, grains or
vegetables. Alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in modern
society.
Ethanol exerts its desired and toxic effects through several mechanisms,
•Enhance the effects of GABA neurotransmitter
•Release of endogenous opiods
•Alter levels of serotonin and dopamine
Ethanol is potent CNS depressants so it is a major cause of fatal
automobile accidents, drownings, and fatal falls related factor in many
hospital admissions.
Ethanol is usually taken as drink. Although recently the inhalation of
aerosolized ethanol has gained popularity
Ethanol is absorbed from the stomach and duodenum, and food slows and
decreases absorption. Peak ethanol levels are generally achieved in 20
minutes to 1 hour of ingestion.
Ethanol is metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase to acetaldehyde and
then by aldehyde dehydrogenase to acetate in the liver
Complications of Ethanol
Prescription drugs
Prescription drugs abuse include many form
Unethical use of drugs
Unnecessary use of drugs for financial benefits
Use of drugs causing dependancy
Drugs use for provocation the symptoms
Nontherapeutical use of drugs such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and
barbiturates

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Drugs of Abuse

Drugs of Abuse can be classified into 3 groups

Other Drugs Of Abuse

Route of administration: snorted or ingested,

encounters through an enhancement of sensory activity. Withdrawn effect cause

boredom and loss of interests in life.

infection, COPD and other mental illness

Withdrawal may include depression, pain, and irritability.

THC is available as the prescription product dronabinol- to treat emesis and to

Prescription drugs abuse include many form

Unethical use of drugs

Unnecessary use of drugs for financial benefits

Use of drugs causing dependancy

Drugs use for provocation the symptoms

Nontherapeutical use of drugs such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and

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