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 ~