4.

Classification of Alkaloids

7. Medicinal use of:

a. Caffeine
Caffeine taken in beverage form begins to reach all tissues of the body within five
minutes. Peak blood levels are reached in about 30 minutes. Half of a given dose of
caffeine is metabolized in about four hours þ more rapidly in smokers and less rapidly in
newborn infants, in women in late pregnancy, and in sufferers from liver disease.
Normally, almost all ingested caffeine is metabolized. Less than 3% appears unchanged
in urine, and there is no day-to-day accumulation of the drug in the body.

Short-term effects of a drug are those that appear soon after a single dose and disappear
within hours. Ingestion of the amount of caffeine in one or two cups of coffee (75-150
mg) causes many mild physiological effects. General metabolism increases - expressed as
an increase in activity or raised temperature, or both. The rate of breathing increases, as
does urination and the levels of fatty acids in the blood and of gastric acid in the stomach.
(However, at least one other component of coffee also increases gastric acid secretion.
Therefore ulcer sufferers may not achieve relief by switching to decaffeinated coffee.)

Caffeine use may increase blood pressure.

Caffeine stimulates the brain and behavior. Use of 75-150 mg of caffeine elevates neural
activity in many parts of the brain, postpones fatigue, and enhances performance at
simple intellectual tasks and at physical work that involves endurance but not fine motor
coordination. (Caffeine-caused tremor can reduce hand steadiness.)

Caffeine's effects on complex intellectual tasks and on mood do not lend themselves to a
simple summary. The effects depend on the personality of the user, on the immediate
environment, on the user's knowing whether caffeine has been taken, and even on the
time of day.

The effects of caffeine on sleep are clear-cut: taken before bedtime, it usually delays
sleep onset, shortens overall sleep time, and reduces the "depth" of sleep. After using
caffeine, sleepers are more easily aroused, move more during sleep, and report a
reduction in the quality of sleep. The effects of caffeine on dreaming are less clear.

Larger doses of caffeine, especially when given to non-users, can produce headache,
jitteriness, abnormally rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), convulsions, and even delirium.
 Near-fatal doses cause a crisis resembling the state of a diabetic without insulin,
including high levels of blood sugar and the appearance of acetone-like substances in
urine. The lowest known dose fatal to an adult has been 3,200 mg - administered
intravenously by accident. The fatal oral dose is in excess of 5,000 mg - the equivalent of
40 strong cups of coffee taken in a very short space of time.

b. Morphine
Morphine is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works by dulling the pain perception
center in the brain. Short-acting formulations are taken as needed for pain. Extended-
release formulations are used when around-the-clock pain relief is needed.
Morphine is not for treating pain just after surgery unless you were already taking it
before the surgery.

c. Atropine
Atropine produces many effects in the body, including relief from spasms of the
gastrointestinal tract (stomach and intestines), the bladder, and the biliary tract. This is
helpful in controlling conditions such as colitis, spastic bladder, diverticulitis, infant
colic, renal and biliary colic, peptic ulcer, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Atropine also reduces the secretions of many organs, thereby helping to control
conditions such as excessive stomach acid production and excessive secretion from the
pancreas; to reduce secretions of the nose, lungs, salivary glands, and stomach before
surgery; and to help dry up excessive mucus production associated with diseases,
infections, and allergies.

Atropine is used to treat the rigidity, tremor, excessive salivation, and sweating caused by
Parkinson's disease.

Atropine also has effects on the heart. It is used during surgery to maintain proper heart
function, during emergencies involving the heart, and to treat certain heart disorders.

Atropine is used to control laughing and crying episodes that are caused by brain tumors.

Atropine also has effect on the eyes and is available in an ophthalmic (eye) formulation.

Atropine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

d. Codeine
e. Cocaine
f. Pilocarpine
g. Quinine
h. Ephedrine
i. Reserpine
j. Strychine