Deck 8: Sympathomimetics

Question 1

Which of the following is not true of ephedra?

A) It is a naturally occurring plant alkaloid.
B) It has been used for centuries by the Chinese to alleviate cold symptoms.
C) It is a powerful CNS stimulant.
D) Its active ingredient is ephedrine.
E) It can cause arrhythmias and high blood pressure.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Why is phenylephrine useful when one is suffering from a cold?

A) It has anti-histamine activity.
B) It causes smooth muscle cells to dilate, allowing sinuses to drain.
C) It causes the cardiovascular system to relax allowing for better sleep.
D) It decreases blood flow in nasal passages, thereby decreasing mucous production.
E) It stimulates calcium uptake in nasal mucosal cells.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

All sympathomimetic drugs, epinephrine, and other catecholamines easily cross the blood brain barrier and concentrate in the brain.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

Some sympathomimetic drugs work by increasing norepinephrine levels by displacing it from its storage sites.

Question 5

Amphetamines block norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake in the brain.

Question 6

Sympathomimetics like ephedrine can have an additive effect with epinephrine at high exercise intensity and show clear ergogenic activity.

Question 7

Amphetamine increases pain tolerance potentially leading to greater tissue damage when injured.

Question 8

Use of cocaine as a stimulant is a modern phenomena as it dates back to the first commercially available Coca Cola.

Question 9

Vasoconstriction and decreased blood flow to the skin can cause overheating in physically active abusers of amphetamine and cocaine.

Question 10

Ephedra is a very potent appetite suppressor and can lead to rapid weight loss.

Question 11

Children with ADHD often develop much more rapidly than their age-matched peers and exhibit high levels of restlessness and increased motor activity.

Question 12

Many patients with ADHD respond paradoxically to methylphenidate or amphetamine compared to healthy individuals; they become calmer and better able to manage their attention span.

Question 13

Research on ADHD has been slow because it is not possible to replicate the symptoms in laboratory animals.

Question 14

Exercise increases noradrenergic and dopaminergic signaling in regions of the brain that have some overlap with the regions affected by ADHD.

Question 15

An indication for sympathomimetics is the neurological condition known as ______________, in which the patient suffers from overwhelming daytime drowsiness.