Solution-Significance of cross-dependence and
The base of a mountain and there are lots of wildlife around
April 28, 2020Solution-Did all the bacterial colonies on the countable
April 28, 2020Solution-Significance of cross-dependence and
Question 1: Explain the difference between tolerance and dependence. What symptoms occur during withdrawal syndrome?
Question 2: Briefly present the significance of cross-dependence and cross-tolerance. Why drug dependence and abuse are medical problems that require long-term treatment.
Question 3: Compare the mechanism of action of illicit drugs. Which ones are the most commonly used illegal drugs.
Question 4: Briefly explain why the administration of heroin intravenously can cause a surge of intense euphoria?
Question 5: Explain why overdose of depressant drugs can cause a medical emergency. What are withdrawal symptoms of abrupt discontinuation of depressants?
Question 6: Explain why overdose of hallucinogens is not a common problem. What are possible interactions with other drugs and what “flashbacks” can mean?
Question 7: Briefly explain why the chronic usage of alcohol can lead to ascites or hepatic failure development.
Question 8: Briefly explain why the metabolism of ethanol by the cytochrome P450 system can decrease rate of metabolism of some drugs when ethanol is present?
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Drug tolerance and dependence are considered to be two crucial properties of any drug that signifies its activity, side effects and discontinuation syndromes. Drug tolerance basically relates to the body’s own adaptation toward a certain drug or combination of drugs. On the contrary, dependence to some extent indicates addiction to a certain drug which stimulates the physiological system for frequent uptake of that drug (Suchukit, Smith, Daeppen and Eng, 2014). Hence in case of drug dependence the body gets adjusted to the presence of that drug.
There are few differences between drug tolerance and dependence which specifies when that drug in question should be discontinued. Tolerance to any drug does not necessarily suggest dependence or addiction to it, although dependence on certain drug should always confer tolerance to that drug. Therefore physical dependence on a drug is always associated with drug tolerance. Concentration of the drug and sensitivity of the target site toward the drug explains the degree of drug tolerance.
Depressants or CNS (Central Nervous System) depressants generally refers to benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids or tranquilizers. These drugs primarily affect the activity of central nervous system, i.e. brain and spinal cord. It is to mention that overdose of any drug relates to having too much of a specified drug beyond the prescribed quantity. A number of medical emergency arises when overdose of CNS depressants are taken either singly or in a combination with another drug. As these drugs slow down the brain activity,
they are generally prescribed in case of sleeping disorders or anxiety. In case of long term use this group of drugs may also alter the breathing and heart rate. Depressants are generally prescribed in case of patients having anxiety, acute stress problems, panic attacks or insomnia. Some common examples are alprazolam, diazepam, estazolam, luminal sodium, mephobarbital, zolpidem etc. It is noteworthy that long term use of these depressant drugs adversely affects the normal physiology of an individual as they can cause drug dependence, tolerance and addiction
