Psychostimulants: Cocaine and
Amphetamines - Lecture Notes |
PSYC 7705
Pharmacology
University of Memphis (U of M)
14 pag.
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, PSYCHOSTIMULANTS: COCAINE AND AMPHETAMINES
Classification of some CNS stimulants
Class Mechanism of action Examples
Behavioral stimulants Augmentation of Cocaine
norepinephrine and dopamine Amphetamines
Methylphenidate (Ritalin
Pemoline (Cylert)
Phenmetrazine (Preludin)
Clinical antidepressants Blockade of norepinephrine Imipramine (Tofranil)
reuptake
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Increased norepinephrine, Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
secondary to MAO inhibition
Blockade of serotonin reuptake Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Legal recreational drugs Blockade of adenosine receptors Caffeine
Stimulation of acetylcholine Nicotine
receptors
• Psychostimulant Effects: elevated mood, euphoria, and alertness, reduced fatigue, increased
energy, decreased appetite, improved task performance, relief of boredom, increased motor
activity.
• Examples of psychostimulants:
1. cocaine
2. amphetamines (dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine)
3. amphetamine derivatives used to treat ADHD (methylphenidate; pemoline; Cylert)
4. variety of drugs formerly used to treat obesity (fenfluramine; Pondimin, phentermine;
under trade names as lonamin, Obe-Nix, Adipex-P, Oby-Trim, and Fastin, and
phenmetrazine; Preludin)
5. caffeine and theophylline (psychoactive drug in coffee and other caffeinated
beverages) and nicotine (ingredient in tobacco).
• All stimulants subject to compulsive abuse, and have limited therapeutic use, significant side
effects and toxicity.
• Common side effects (cocaine and amphetamines): anxiety, insomnia, and irritability
• High doses: intense irritability and anxiety and psychotic behaviors
• Low doses: alerting, arousing response not unlike normal reaction to an emergency or to stress
(e.g. increase blood pressure and heart rate, pupils dilate, skin to internal organ blood flow shifts,
and rise in blood oxygen and glucose levels)
Cocaine - Historical Facts
• Erythroxylon coca leaves (Peru and Bolivia)
• Social use: religious, mystical, stimulant, and medicinal purposes-to increase endurance,
promote sense of well-being, and alleviate hunger (usual total daily dose ~ 200 mgs)
• 1859: active alkaloid in coca isolated and named cocaine.
• 1884: Freud advocated use of cocaine to treat depression and alleviate chronic fatigue. He
described cocaine as a “magical drug" and even wrote a "Song of Praise" to it.
• 1884: Koller demonstrated cocaine's local anesthetic properties and for ophthalmologic surgery.
• 1885: cocaine incorporated (along with caffeine) in popular patent medicine later known as
beverage Coca-Cola, until 1903 (~60 mgs/8 ounce serving)
• 1891: at least 200 reports of cocaine intoxication and 13 deaths reported.
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Amphetamines - Lecture Notes |
PSYC 7705
Pharmacology
University of Memphis (U of M)
14 pag.
Document shared on https://www.docsity.com/en/psychostimulants-cocaine-and-amphetamines-lecture-notes-psyc-7705/6458487/
Downloaded by: Academicgenius ()
, PSYCHOSTIMULANTS: COCAINE AND AMPHETAMINES
Classification of some CNS stimulants
Class Mechanism of action Examples
Behavioral stimulants Augmentation of Cocaine
norepinephrine and dopamine Amphetamines
Methylphenidate (Ritalin
Pemoline (Cylert)
Phenmetrazine (Preludin)
Clinical antidepressants Blockade of norepinephrine Imipramine (Tofranil)
reuptake
Amitriptyline (Elavil)
Increased norepinephrine, Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
secondary to MAO inhibition
Blockade of serotonin reuptake Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Legal recreational drugs Blockade of adenosine receptors Caffeine
Stimulation of acetylcholine Nicotine
receptors
• Psychostimulant Effects: elevated mood, euphoria, and alertness, reduced fatigue, increased
energy, decreased appetite, improved task performance, relief of boredom, increased motor
activity.
• Examples of psychostimulants:
1. cocaine
2. amphetamines (dextroamphetamine and methamphetamine)
3. amphetamine derivatives used to treat ADHD (methylphenidate; pemoline; Cylert)
4. variety of drugs formerly used to treat obesity (fenfluramine; Pondimin, phentermine;
under trade names as lonamin, Obe-Nix, Adipex-P, Oby-Trim, and Fastin, and
phenmetrazine; Preludin)
5. caffeine and theophylline (psychoactive drug in coffee and other caffeinated
beverages) and nicotine (ingredient in tobacco).
• All stimulants subject to compulsive abuse, and have limited therapeutic use, significant side
effects and toxicity.
• Common side effects (cocaine and amphetamines): anxiety, insomnia, and irritability
• High doses: intense irritability and anxiety and psychotic behaviors
• Low doses: alerting, arousing response not unlike normal reaction to an emergency or to stress
(e.g. increase blood pressure and heart rate, pupils dilate, skin to internal organ blood flow shifts,
and rise in blood oxygen and glucose levels)
Cocaine - Historical Facts
• Erythroxylon coca leaves (Peru and Bolivia)
• Social use: religious, mystical, stimulant, and medicinal purposes-to increase endurance,
promote sense of well-being, and alleviate hunger (usual total daily dose ~ 200 mgs)
• 1859: active alkaloid in coca isolated and named cocaine.
• 1884: Freud advocated use of cocaine to treat depression and alleviate chronic fatigue. He
described cocaine as a “magical drug" and even wrote a "Song of Praise" to it.
• 1884: Koller demonstrated cocaine's local anesthetic properties and for ophthalmologic surgery.
• 1885: cocaine incorporated (along with caffeine) in popular patent medicine later known as
beverage Coca-Cola, until 1903 (~60 mgs/8 ounce serving)
• 1891: at least 200 reports of cocaine intoxication and 13 deaths reported.
Document shared on https://www.docsity.com/en/psychostimulants-cocaine-and-amphetamines-lecture-notes-psyc-7705/6458487/
Downloaded by: Academicgenius ()
