A 27-year-old man was brought to the emergency departmentby a friend who suspected he had overdosed on a drug.Upon arrival at the emergency department, he had depressedrespiration, miosis, and reduced consciousness. Based on thesesymptoms, what type of drug did the individual likely take andwhat is its mechanism of action?A. A drug acting as a D2 receptor agonistB. A 5-HT2 receptor antagonistC. A δ- and κ-opioid receptor agonistD. A serotonin reuptake inhibitorE. A µ-opioid receptor agonist
Question
A 27-year-old man was brought to the emergency departmentby a friend who suspected he had overdosed on a drug.Upon arrival at the emergency department, he had depressedrespiration, miosis, and reduced consciousness. Based on thesesymptoms, what type of drug did the individual likely take andwhat is its mechanism of action?A. A drug acting as a D2 receptor agonistB. A 5-HT2 receptor antagonistC. A δ- and κ-opioid receptor agonistD. A serotonin reuptake inhibitorE. A µ-opioid receptor agonist
Solution
To determine the type of drug the individual likely took and its mechanism of action, let's analyze the symptoms and match them with the possible drug options provided:
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Symptoms:
- Depressed respiration: This indicates that the drug has a significant effect on the central nervous system, particularly on the respiratory centers in the brain.
- Miosis (constricted pupils): This is a classic sign of opioid use.
- Reduced consciousness: This suggests central nervous system depression, which is also a common effect of opioids.
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Drug Options and Mechanisms:
- A. A drug acting as a D2 receptor agonist: D2 receptor agonists are typically used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and do not usually cause miosis or significant respiratory depression.
- B. A 5-HT2 receptor antagonist: These drugs are often used as antipsychotics or antidepressants and do not typically cause the triad of symptoms (depressed respiration, miosis, reduced consciousness) seen here.
- C. A δ- and κ-opioid receptor agonist: While δ- and κ-opioid receptor agonists can cause some central nervous system effects, they are not primarily responsible for the classic opioid overdose symptoms. The µ-opioid receptor is more commonly associated with these symptoms.
- D. A serotonin reuptake inhibitor: These drugs are used as antidepressants and do not typically cause miosis or significant respiratory depression.
- E. A µ-opioid receptor agonist: µ-opioid receptor agonists (such as morphine, heroin, and other opioids) are well-known for causing depressed respiration, miosis, and reduced consciousness. These are the hallmark symptoms of opioid overdose.
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Conclusion:
- Based on the symptoms of depressed respiration, miosis, and reduced consciousness, the individual likely took a drug that acts as a µ-opioid receptor agonist.
Therefore, the correct answer is: E. A µ-opioid receptor agonist
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