PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS

I. DRUGS USED TO ALTER MOODS AND STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

• A. STIMULANTS (produce psychomotor arousal; treat attention deficit disorder)
  • 1. Sympathomimetics
    • a. Examples: dextroamphetamine; methylphenidate; cocaine
    • b. Mechanism: monoamine (NE & DA) agonist, increase release, block reuptake
  • 2. Cholinomimetics
    • a. Examples: nicotine; muscarine
    • b. Mechanism: ACh agonist (high dose blocks)
  • 3. Xanthines
    • a. Examples: caffeine; theophylline
    • b. Mechanism: block adenosine receptors, GABA antagonist
  • 4. Convulsants
    • a. Example: strychnine
    • b. Mechanism: glycine antagonist
• B. DEPRESSANTS (produce sedation; treat pain, anxiety and sleep disorders)
  • 1. Opioids
    • a. Examples: morphine, codeine, heroin, methadone
    • b. Mechanism: endogenous opiate agonist
  • 2. Barbiturates
    • a. Example: secobarbital
    • b. Mechanism: GABA agonist
  • 3. Barbiturate-like
    • a. Example: meprobamate
    • b. Mechanism: similar to barbiturates
  • 4. Organic solvents
    • a. Examples: ethyl alcohol, ether
    • b. Mechanism: disrupt neuronal membrane; may facilitate GABA
• C. HALLUCINOGENICS (produce distorted perception)
  • 1. NE-like
    • a. Example: mescaline
    • b. Mechanism alter 5HT activity
  • 2. 5HT-like
    • a. Example: LSD
    • b. Mechanism alter 5HT activity
  • 3. Other
    • a. Examples: marijuana, anticholinergics, phencyclidine (PCP)
    • b. Mechanisms: varied mechanisms; many have endogenous receptors

II. DRUGS USED TO TREAT PSYCHOLOGICAL DISORDERS

• A. ANTIPSYCHOTICS (treat schizophrenia; also delirium and dementia)
  • 1. Phenothiazines
    • a. Example: chlorpromazine
    • b. Mechanism: block DA receptors
  • 2. Butyrophenones
    • a. Example: haloperidol
    • b. Mechanism: block DA receptors
  • 3. Other
    • a. Example: clozapine
    • b. Mechanism: block DA receptors
• B. ANTIDEPRESSANTS (treat depression and bipolar disorder)
  • 1. Tricyclics
    • a. Examples: nortiptyline, imipramine, clomipramine
    • b. Mechanism: Block re-uptake of NE and 5HT; (primarily NE for secondary and 5HT for tertiary)
  • 2. Heterocyclics
    • a. Example: fluoxetine
    • b. Mechanism: Block re-uptake of NE and 5HT
  • 3. MAO inhibitors
    • a. Examples: phenelzine, tranylcypramine
    • b. Mechanism: inhibit monoamine oxidase
  • 4. Lithium
    • a. Example: lithium
    • b. Mechanism: stabilizes synapses
• C. ANTI-ANXIETY (treat acute and chronic anxiety; also sleep disturbances)
  • 1. Benzodiazepines
    • a. Examples: alprazolam, diazepam
    • b. Mechanism: facilitate GABA
  • 2. Other
    • a. Example: buspirone
    • b. Mechanism: decrease 5HT activity

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