10:832:350 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Naltrexone, Disulfiram, Acamprosate

68 views4 pages

Document Summary

There are many different ways in which drugs work in the body, but many addictive drugs can be grouped into one of two categories based on their method of action. These two categories are called agonistic and antagonistic drugs. Agonistic drugs are those that work to mimic the effect of a neurotransmitter in the brain. Antagonistic drugs work by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain. Agonist and antagonist therapies are effective evidence-based options in the medical treatment of drug addiction. A simple way to think about these concepts is that agonist therapy creates an action while antagonist therapy opposes an action. A drug that is an agonist attaches itself to receptors in the brain, and then produces a chemical reaction. It binds to opioid receptors that control pleasure and pain, the result being a feeling of euphoria and well being. Other examples of opioid agonists, sometimes referred to as full agonists, are oxycodone, morphine and opium.

Get access

Grade+
$40 USD/m
Billed monthly
Grade+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
10 Verified Answers
Class+
$30 USD/m
Billed monthly
Class+
Homework Help
Study Guides
Textbook Solutions
Class Notes
Textbook Notes
Booster Class
7 Verified Answers

Related Documents

Related Questions