Transcript CNS Stimulants

CNS Stimulants
Facts and Information
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
What is a CNS Stimulant?

Definition
Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants are medicines that speed up physical
and mental processes.

Purpose
Central nervous system stimulants are used to treat conditions characterized by
lack of adrenergic stimulation, including narcolepsy and neonatal apnea.
Additionally, methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine sulfate
(Dexedrine) are used for their paradoxical effect in attention—deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD).
The anerexiants, benzphetamine (Didrex), diethylpropion (Tenuate),
phendimetrazine (Bontril, Plegine), phentermine (Fastin, Ionamine), and
sibutramine (Meridia) are CNS stimulants used for appetite reduction in severe
obesity. Although these drugs are structurally similar to amphetamine, they cause
less sensation of stimulation, and are less suited for use in conditions
characterized by lack of adrenergic stimulation.
Phenylpropanolamine and ephedrine have been used both as diet aids and as
vasoconstrictors.

Description
The majority of CNS stimulants are chemically similar to the neurohormone
norepinephrine, and simulate the traditional "fight or flight" syndrome associated
with sympathetic nervous system arousal. Caffeine is more closely related to the
xanthines, such as theophylline. A small number of additional members of the CNS
stimulant class do not fall into specific chemical groups.
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Common Prescription CNS
Stimulants
 Dextroamphetamine
(Dexedrine and
Adderall)
 Methylphenidate
(Ritalin and Concerta)
 Modafinil (Provigil)
 Methamphetamine
(Desoxyn or Desoxyn
Gradumet)
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Treats
 ADHD
 ADD
 Narcolepsy (sleep
disorder)
 Depression
Common OTC CNS Stimulants
Examples of
Stimulants
 Decongestants
(Ephedrine,
norephedrine, and
pseudoephedrine )
 herbal extracts
 caffeinated beverages
 Nicotine
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
 Ephedrine, norephedrine, and
pseudoephedrine can be
found in numerous OTC
medications. For many years,
ephedrine has been used in
numerous OTC drugs as a
nasal decongestant and
appetite suppressant.
 Alternative medicines,
including herbal supplements,
have gained widespread
popularity and are currently a
multibillion-dollar business.
Hundreds of these
supplements contain
stimulants as active
ingredients.
Common Street Names of CNS
Stimulant Drugs
Street Names
Amphetamine-type Stimulants

What is it?
Amphetamine type stimulants encompass
some of the most common, well known and
used drugs including Ecstasy, Speed and
Base, Ice and Methamphetamine. They are
synthetic drugs meaning they are not natural
and created by processing chemical
ingredients.


Amphetamine: Speed, whiz, uppers,
goey, louee

Dexamphetamine:(ADHD medication
used illicitly) Kidi-speed, whiz, uppers,
dexies, pep pills

Phentermine:(Illegally imported weight
loss medication used illicitly) Adipex-p or
fastin

Methylamphetamine (solid): Meth,
speed, whiz, fast, uppers, goey, louee,
rabbit, tail, pep pills, base, pure, point or
wax.

Methylamphetamine (liquid): Leopard's
blood, ox blood, red speed or liquid red

Crystal Methylamphetamine: Ice,
meth, d-meth, glass, crystal, batu, shabu
(from the Philippines)

Paramethoxyamphetamine: Death,
PMA, PMMA (often mixed with or
marketed as ecstasy, all are known to be
fatal)
What does it look like?
Amphetamines come in several varieties and
as a result appear in different forms.

They can be different colored powders

Capsules of various colors

Ice comes in sheet like crystals or
crystalline powder
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Amphetamine
Crystals
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Amphetamine
Powders
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Amphetamine
Tablets
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Therapeutic Uses for CNS
Stimulant Medications
 Central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, also called
psychomotor stimulants or uppers, are a class of drugs
that speed up physical and mental processes. They
temporarily make patients feel more alert and improve
mood.
 Stimulants are typically used to treat medical conditions
such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
attention-deficit disorder (ADD), fatigue, and narcolepsy.
Some stimulants have been used as appetite
suppressants, although the safety of this use remains
controversial.
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Effects of Stimulant Abuse
 The consequences of stimulant abuse can be extremely
dangerous. Taking high doses of a stimulant can result in
an irregular heartbeat, dangerously high body
temperatures, and/or the potential for cardiovascular
failure or seizures. Taking high doses of some stimulants
repeatedly over a short period of time can lead to
hostility or feelings of paranoia in some individuals.
 Stimulants should not be mixed with antidepressants or
over-the-counter cold medicines containing
decongestants. Antidepressants may enhance the effects
of a stimulant, and stimulants in combination with
decongestants may cause blood pressure to become
dangerously high or lead to irregular heart rhythms.
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Effects (continued)…….
 Cardiovascular (chest pain, arrhythmias, hypertension,
myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, myocarditis,
stroke), psychiatric (depression, schizophreniform
psychosis, toxic delirium, anxiety, paranoia, suicide),
neurological (seizures, headaches, cerebral hemorrhage,
cerebral infarctions, cerebral vasculitis), malnutrition,
hyperpyrexia, obstetric (placental abruption, lower infant
weight, prematurity, microcephaly), pulmonary
(pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum,
pneumopericardium, pulmonary edema, pulmonary
hemorrhage), head and neck (erosion of dental enamel,
gingival ulceration, keratitis, chronic rhinitis, perforated
nasal septum, midline granuloma, altered olfaction, optic
neuropathy, osteolytic sinusitis), sexual dysfunction,
rhabdomyolysis, hyperprolactinemia, gastrointestinal
(acute ischemic syndrome and hepatoxicity)
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Health Risks from Stimulant
Abuse
 (Dexedrine, Methamphetamine or "Crystal", "Crank", and
"Speed") increase alertness and physical activity.
Amphetamines increase heart and breathing rates and
blood pressure, dilate pupils and decrease appetite. Sideeffects can include sweating, dry mouth, blurred vision,
insomnia, loss of appetite, and dizziness. In addition users
can feel restless, anxious and moody, become excitable and
have a false sense of power and security. Using large
amounts of these drugs can result in a condition known as
amphetamine psychosis -- which can result in auditory,
visual and tactile hallucinations, intense paranoia, irrational
thoughts and beliefs, delusions, and mental confusion.
 Amphetamine overdose can also cause cardiac arrhythmias,
headaches, convulsions, hypertension, rapid heart rate,
coma and death. Amphetamines are psychologically and
physically addictive.
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Signs and Symptoms of CNS
Stimulant Dependence
 Signs of CNS Stimulant Use
 During use, these drugs generally make the user feel euphoric,
super human even, as if they can accomplish anything. The talk
fast, move fast and do whatever they’re doing with a focus and
speed that is out of character. Their blood pressure, heart rate and
body temperature also increase.
 Signs of CNS Addiction
 Addiction to CNS stimulants is apparent when the following
symptoms are seen regularly, whether or not the user is “high” on
their drug of choice:
 * Decreased appetite and extreme weight loss
* Irritability and depression
* Restlessness and insomnia
* Paranoia and, in extreme cases, psychosis
* In those who snort their drugs, a damaged mucous membrane,
regular nose bleeds and nasal congestion are common
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
Withdrawal Effects from
Stimulant Abuse
 Stimulant withdrawal, which occurs following cessation of
chronic cocaine or amphetamine use, can produce a wide
range of dysphoric symptoms:
 Following binge use, individuals may initially experience a
“crash” period, which is characterized by symptoms of
depression, anxiety, agitation and intense drug craving.
 During the intermediate withdrawal phase, individuals may
experience fatigue, a loss of physical and mental energy,
and decreased interest in the surrounding environment.
 During the late withdrawal phase, individuals may
experience brief periods of intense drug craving, such that
objects and people in the addicted person’s life can become
a conditioned trigger for craving and relapse.
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer
References
 http://alcoholism.about.com/cs/heal/a/aa990818.htm
 http://www.ceida.net.au/stimulants/amphetamine-type.asp
 http://www.chce.research.va.gov/docs/pdfs/Doaacutetreatment.pdf
 http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Central+Nervous+System+Stimulant
s
 http://teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx/prescription-drug-facts/stimulants
 http://thecyn.com/blog/5-signs-of-addiction-to-cns-stimulants/
 http://www.usc.edu/studentaffairs/Health_Center/adolhealth/content/b8subs3.html#stimulants
 http://www.wellness.com/reference/conditions/cns-stimulants
Created by: Shannon N. Phifer