Slide 5 of 24
Notes:
Heroin is more lipid soluble than morphine, hence the reason heroin is injected (IV) for a rush.
Depot binding=drugs that bind with tissues or proteins in the blood (e.g. albumin), serves to delay or prolong the effects of a drug
Effects—Opiates like morphine & codeine are analgesics but also depress heart rate & respiration (neurons in the medulla of course).
directly active on brain or spinal cord=more potent (I.e. important site of action) E.g. morphine vs. aspirin
affinity=how eager molecules are to join. High affinity need lower dose.
Therapeutic index=ratio of dose that produces desired effects and dose that produces toxic effects
Valium has high therapeutic index (~100) but barbiturates have low index (~2.5) and therefore are much more dangerous in large quantity.
