CNS Stimulants

Created by: Shannon N. Phifer

CNS StimulantsFacts and Information


What is a CNS Stimulant? DefinitionCentral nervous system (CNS) stimulants are medicines that speed up physical and mental processes. PurposeCentral 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. DescriptionThe 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.


Common Prescription CNS Stimulants

Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall)

Methylphenidate (Ritalin and Concerta)

Modafinil (Provigil) Methamphetamine

(Desoxyn or Desoxyn Gradumet)

Treats ADHD ADD Narcolepsy (sleep

disorder) Depression


Common OTC CNS StimulantsExamples of Stimulants

Decongestants (Ephedrine, norephedrine, and pseudoephedrine )

herbal extracts caffeinated beverages Nicotine

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

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. 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

Street Names 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)


Amphetamine Crystals


Amphetamine Powders


Amphetamine Tablets


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.

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.



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)


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. Side-effects 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.


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


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.


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://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Central+Nervous+Syst

em+Stimulants

http://teens.drugabuse.gov/peerx/prescription-drug-facts/stimulants http://thecyn.com/blog/5-signs-of-addiction-to-cns-stimulants/ http://

www.usc.edu/student-affairs/Health_Center/adolhealth/content/b8subs3.html#stimulants

http://www.wellness.com/reference/conditions/cns-stimulants

http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Central+Nervous+System+Stimulants

http://www.ceida.net.au/stimulants/amphetamine-type.asp

http://www.chce.research.va.gov/docs/pdfs/Doaacutetreatment.pdf




http://thecyn.com/blog/5-signs-of-addiction-to-cns-stimulants/








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CNS Stimulants