CHEMISTRY MEDICINES AND DRUGS

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CHEMISTRY MEDICINES AND DRUGS
STIMULANTS
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Stimulants are drugs that gt stimulate the brain
and the central nervous systemgt increase the
state of mental alertnessgt decrease appetite
A) Amphetamines B) Caffeine C) Nicotine
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Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a natural stimulant
produced in the adrenal gland.gt it is released
when in stress or feargt it controls -
heart/breathing rate - pupil dilation -
sweating
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AMPHETAMINES

• Amphetamines are chemically related to
  adrenaline.
• They both derive from phenylethylamine.
• They are sympathomimetic drugs which mimic the
  effect of stimulation on the nervous system by
  increasing the levels of dopamine.
• Amphetamines were initially used to treat
  narcolepsy and in WW II were used by soldiers to
  combat fatigue.
• Later during the 50s and 60s they were used
  as slimming pills.
• Regular use can lead to both tolerance
  dependence.

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• Short-term effects- increase in heart rate and
  breathing- insomnia- dilation of the pupils-
  decrease in appetite- possible fatigue and
  depression
• Long-term effects- weight loss
• - constipation- emotional instability-
  dependence

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Phenylethylamine (love molecule) - high
feeling of lovers - also found in chocolate
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Dopamine Transmits to neurons signals of -
joy- happiness- excitement
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Amphetamine - stimulant - suppresses appetite -
treats narcolepsy and attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
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Methamphetamine (speed) - potent stimulant -
very addictive- severe withdrawal symptoms -
meth mouth
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Ecstasy - potent stimulant - designer drug- can
be fatal - neurotoxic
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CAFFEINE

• It is the most widely used stimulant in the
  world.
• It is present in coffee, tea, chocolate and cola
  drinks and is also found in some pain killers or
  other medicines.
• People that consuming 400 mg of caffeine a day
  may have dependence physical side effects.

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• Like nicotine, morphine, codeine and cocaine,
  caffeine is also an alkaloid.
• Alkaloids are nitrogen-containing compounds of
  plant origin containing heterocyclic rings and a
  tertiary amine group.
• Theobromine has a similar structure to caffeine,
  which is also found in chocolate. (It does not
  contain bromine!)

theobromine
caffeine
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• Effects at low doses- respiratory stimulant-
  weak diuretic- enhances concentration and
  alertness- reduces migraines (constriction of
  blood vessels)
• Effects at high doses- anxiety-
  irritability- sleeplessness

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NICOTINE

• One third of the worlds population is addicted
  to smoking because tobacco contains nicotine
• Nicotine produces psychological and/or physical
  dependence
• Nicotine builds up tolerance
• Stopping smoking can produce temporary symptoms
  like a craving for tobacco, nausea, weight gain,
  insomnia, irritability and depression

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• Short-term effects- stimulates nervous
  system- increases heart rate and blood
  pressure- increases concentration- constricts
  blood vessels- stresses heart- reduces urine
  output Long-term effects- increases risk of
  heart disease coronary thrombosis
• - inhibits ability of blood to carry oxygen
  (CO)- excess acidity gt peptic ulcers-
  mouth/lung cancer- adverse effects on pregnancy

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Both compounds are heterocyclic with one or more
carbon atoms in the ring replaced by nitrogen
atoms. They both contain a tertiary amine group
caffeine
nicotine