drug classification lesson 1. psychopharmacology n study of drugs that affect nervous system n study...
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Drug Classification
Lesson 1
Psychopharmacology
Study of drugs that affect nervous system
Study effects of the drug e.g. prenatal methamphetamine
Drugs as tools to study functions of nervous system e.g., cocaine & reward systems ~
My Interests
Prenatal & postnatal consequenses Drugs of abuse Environmental teratogens
Prenatal effects on neural development Postnatal behavior
Postnatal Addiction ~
Drug effects are variable!
Course Goal: Understanding factors that produce variability
1. Pharmacological
2. Neurophysiological
3. Psychological
4. Survey of specific drugs ~
Psychoactive Drugs
Drug Biologically Active chemically alters cell structure/function Exclude: Natural Foods/Water
Alters function of nervous system Consciousness Emotions Perceptions Behavior ~
Drug Names At least 3 names
1. Chemical name describes molecular structure
2. Generic name official legal name
3. Trade name brand name
Street name ~
Example: Amphetamine
dl-2 amino-1 phenylpropane
dl-amphetamine
Benzedrine
speed, bennies, whites, etc.~
chemical
generic
trade
street
Example: Valium
7-chloro--1-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2[1H]-one
diazepam
valium
tranks, downers, blues, yellows
chemical
generic
trade
street
Example: Lunesta (+)-(5S)-6-(chloropyridin-2-yl)-7-oxo-
6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[3,4-b] pyrazin-5-yl 4-methylpiperazine-1-carboxylate
eszopiclone
Lunesta
? street
generic
trade
chemical
Drug Equivalence Important to know when prescribing Chemical equivalence
identical chemical compounds e.g., Miltown & Equanil (meprobamate)
Biological equivalence different chemical compounds affect the same systems in same way e.g., Prozac vs. Zoloft ~
Drug Equivalence
Clinical equivalence same behavioral effect different chemical compounds
affecting different systems e.g., thorazine vs. lithium ~
Drug Classification
Several schemes use depends on goals
Not easy to classify each drug wide range of properties
Psychopharmacology: CNS & Behavioral ~
Text: CNS & Behavioral Effects CNS Stimulants
Cocaine, amphetamine CNS Depressants
Barbiturates, alcohol Analgesics
Morphine, codeine Hallucinogens
Mescaline, LSD, psilocybin Psychotherapeutics
Prozac, thorazine ~
Drug laws & legal classification
Controlled Substances Act of 1970 5 schedules
abuse potential medicinal value
Schedule I high abuse potential no accepted medicinal value ~
Drug laws & legal classification
Schedule II high abuse potential accepted medicinal value
Schedule III moderate abuse potential
Schedule IV - low abuse potential Schedule V - abuse potential < IV ~
Drug Schedules & Regulation
Schedule I Cannot be prescribed Research: tightly regulated
Schedule II Can prescribe, but no refills Research: yearly registration
Schedule III, IV, V Prescribe up to 5 refills over 6
months ~
Classification Problems
Alcohol effects General nervous system depressant
Effects depend on dose Low dose behavioral excitation High dose behavioral inhibition
What are the effects of alcohol?
It depends! ~
Another Example
Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder hyperkinesis
Treatment: Ritalin Methylphenidate
classified as a sedative? No, a stimulant ~
No Magic Bullets!
Drug delivered into system Affects all cells that have receptors
Desired effect
= therapeutic effect All other effects
= side effects
All drugs have multiple effects ~
What are a drug’s effects?
IT DEPENDS Many sources of variability A focus of this course
Deciding to use a drug weigh benefits vs. risks there are always risks ~