L7: Psychostimulants: Amphetamines and Cocaine Lecture Flashcards

These flashcards cover the vocabulary regarding the history, chemical isomers, medical uses, physiological effects, and pharmacological forms of amphetamines and cocaine as presented in the lecture notes.

Psychomotor stimulants

A large class of diverse compounds that stimulate alertness and arousal (psychostimulants) and stimulate motor activity (psychomotor).

Phenylethylamine

The base chemical structure for amphetamines and related compounds, which is similar in structure to catecholamines like dopamine and norepinephrine.

Cathinone

A naturally occurring amphetamine-like compound found in 'khat' leaves, commonly chewed in East Africa and the Horn of Africa for its potent stimulant effects.

Ephedrine

A naturally occurring amphetamine-like compound found in Ephedra Sinica (Ma Huang) used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat asthma and colds by constricting nasal blood vessels.

L. Edeleanu

The chemist who first synthesized amphetamine (alpha-methylphenethylamine) in Germany in $1887$, though its stimulant effects were not known at the time.

Benzedrine

An inhaler for nasal congestion introduced by SKF in $1932$ containing amphetamine; later used in tablet form to treat depression and sustain military personnel during combat.

Racemic mixture

A $1:1$ mixture of d- and l-isomers, which is the proper chemical definition of 'amphetamine'.

d-amphetamine

Also known as Dextroamphetamine or Dexedrine, it is the more potent isomer of amphetamine.

l-amphetamine

Also known as Levoamphetamine, it is the less potent isomer of amphetamine.

Akira Ogata

The chemist who synthesized methamphetamine in Japan in $1919$, a drug later used by Japanese (Philopon) and German (Pervitin) soldiers in World War II.

P2P (Phenyl-2-propanone)

A precursor used for methamphetamine production in the $1970s$ and early $1980s$ that was classified as a Schedule 2 substance in $1980$.

Combat Meth. Epidemic Act

A $2005$ legislative act that placed restrictions on the purchase of pseudoephedrine (a meth precursor), such as ID requirements, to reduce domestic production.

Sympathomimetic effects

Physiological responses produced by amphetamines that mimic the sympathetic nervous system, including increased blood pressure, hyperthermia, and bronchodilation.

Analeptic

An effect of psychostimulants characterized by awakening or increased alertness.

Stereotypies

Highly repetitive, 'mindless' bits of behavior, such as locomotor hyperactivity, resulting from high doses of psychostimulants.

Erythoxylon coca

The plant whose leaves contain between $0.5-1.8\%$ cocaine alkaloid; it is used traditionally to reduce altitude sickness, hunger, and increase energy.

Paco

A cheap, low-grade smokable form of cocaine paste (cocaine sulphate) that causes significant social and health problems in South American slums.

Cocaine hydrochloride

The salt form of cocaine, processed into a crystalline powder that is usually snorted or injected, but inefficient to smoke due to a high vaporization temperature of $195^\circ\text{C}$.

Cocaine free base

A smokable form of cocaine prepared by adding a base and mixing with ether, resulting in a lower melting point of $90^\circ\text{C}$.

Crack

A crude preparation of cocaine free base involving water and a base like $NaHCO_3$ (sodium bicarbonate), which is roughly $75-90\%$ pure.

Speedballing

The combination of intravenous heroin and cocaine used simultaneously.

Tolerance

The reduction in drug effect over time, likely to occur with closely spaced drug exposure, continuous infusion, or binge usage.

Psychomotor sensitization

A progressive increase in locomotor activity or stereotypy following repeated, intermittent drug administration.

Punding

A human manifestation of sensitization involving non-goal directed, socially meaningless, and repetitious activities like picking, collecting, or disassembling objects.