Pharmacology and Substance Use Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to pharmacology and substance use disorders.

plasma expanders

Expand the liquid portion of blood to mask drugs like EPO, masking agent

gynecomastia

Growth of breast tissue in men; a possible side effect of anabolic steroid use.

priapism

An erection is sustained to the point of pain; a possible side effect of anabolic steroid use.

hirsutism

Male-pattern hair growth in women; a possible side effect of anabolic steroid use.

roid rage

An apparent form of mania marked by uncontrolled, violent outbursts; a possible side effect of anabolic steroid use.

mania

A hyperactive state, marked by excess energy, overconfidence, risky behavior, and delusion; a feature of roid rage.

muscle dysmorphia

Condition affecting some anabolic steroid users, in which they perceive their bodies to be weak and small, contrary to objective reality.

human growth hormone (hGH)

Hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates growth, cell reproduction, and regeneration.

acromegaly

Marked by increases in size of head, hands, and feet; a possible side effect of ergogenic hGH use.

erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone naturally produced in the kidneys to increase production of red blood cells.

blood doping

Ergogenic drug use (e.g., EPO) that boosts red blood cell production to increase endurance.

anemia

Deficiency in red blood cells; a possible side effect of EPO.

diuretic

Any drug that promotes increased urine production and excretion by the kidneys.

probenecid

A drug that increases excretion of certain acidic doping agents.

xanthine

A class of stimulants that includes caffeine.

caffeine

A natural stimulant commonly found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

caffeinism

Acute caffeine toxicity due to overdose, marked by extreme agitation and other symptoms.

osteoporosis

A loss of bone density; chronic caffeine consumption is a risk factor for.

Parkinson's disease (PD)

A movement disorder characterized by slowness of movement, rigidity, and tremors.

depressant

A drug that reduces or slows down activity in the CNS and/or body.

opioid

Drug derived from opium or a synthetic drug with similar pharmacology.

morphine

An opiate, more potent than opium, used for pain relief.

heroin

A semi-synthetic opioid derived from morphine, more potent than morphine.

fentanyl

A fully synthetic opioid, more potent than heroin and often adulterated with other drugs.

naloxone

A potent opioid antagonist that can reverse severe opioid overdose.

methadone

A fully synthetic opioid used in maintenance programs for heroin addiction.

ethanol (ethyl alcohol)

Potable form of alcohol produced through fermentation.

fermentation

Natural process converting sugars in plant matter to ethanol by yeast.

temperance movement

A movement promoting moderate drinking that arose in the US in the early 19th century.

18th Amendment

Prohibits the manufacture, sale, transportation, or importation of intoxicating liquors.

Volstead Act

Set rules for enforcing prohibition.

blood-alcohol concentration (BAC)

Number of grams of alcohol in 100 mL of blood.

hippocampus

Brain area involved in converting short-term memory into long-term memory.

blackout

A period of time that cannot be consciously retrieved due to alcohol intoxication.

hangover

Symptoms occurring after BAC significantly drops, including fatigue and headache.

alcohol-related dementia

Global cognitive decline interfering with independent functioning.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS)

Condition resulting from chronic alcohol abuse, causing memory and movement issues.

fatty liver

Abnormal deposits of fat in liver cells, usually reversible.

delirium tremens

Stage 3 alcohol withdrawal syndrome marked by confusion and hallucinations.

alcoholism

Alcohol addiction, related to alcohol use disorder.

disulfiram

Drug treatment for alcoholism that causes sickness upon alcohol consumption.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Organization advocating total, lifelong abstinence from alcohol.

Ecological properties of caffeine

Cacao tree, coffee plants, tea plant. Functions as a natural pesticide while also attracting pollinators

Bronchodilation

Expansion of the airway, possible acute effect of caffeine

Sedative-hypnotic

Drugs that have calming effect and promote sleep

Anxiolytic

Drugs that reduce anxiety

Opium

The milky juice from the opium poppy plant

Opiate

A naturally occurring opioid (morphine)

Oxycontin

Oxycontin is contained for a while, time released oxycodone (Purdue Pharma Scandal)

Skin popping

Injecting drugs into skin with the goal of achieving slower absorption to heroin

Opioid receptors

Found in gastrointestinal system and brain, spinal cord. Natural analgesia system (NT), opioids antagonist