Pharm Chapter 34: Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs. 50 Questions and Answers.

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Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs Depress CNS function Primarily used to treat anxiety & insomnia Distinction between antianxiety effects and hypnotic effects is often a matter of dosage Relieve anxiety in... LOW doses Induce sleep in HIGH doses Sedative-Hypnotic Drug Types Benzodiazepines Benzodiazepine-like drugs Barbiturates Benzodiazepines & Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists Drugs of choice to treat insomnia and anxiety Used to induce general anesthesia, manage seizure disorders, muscle spasms, panic disorder, & withdrawal from alcohol *Safer than general CNS depressants Lower potential for abuse Produce less tolerance & physical dependence Fewer drug interactions* Most familiar member of Benzodiazepines & Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists Diazepam [Valium] Most prescribed Benzodiazepines & Benzodiazepine Receptor Agonists lorazepam [Ativan] & alprazolam [Xanax] Benzodiazepines Overview of pharmacologic effects CNS: Reduce anxiety; promote sleep; induce muscle relaxation; cause confusion & anterograde amnesia Cardiovascular system: Oral vs. intravenous routes Oral: Have almost no effect on the heart and blood vessels Intravenous: Can produce profound hypotension and cardiac arrest Respiratory system: Weak respiratory depressants Anterograde amnesia A loss of the ability to create new memories after the event that caused the amnesia, leading to a partial or complete inability to recall the recent past, while long-term memories from before the event remain intact.4/26/22, 4:59 PM Pharm Chapter 34: Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs Flashcards | Quizlet https://quizlet.com/240091139/pharm-chapter-34-sedative-hypnotic-drugs-flash-cards/ 2/7 Molecular MOA Potentiate the actions of gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) Do not act as direct GABA agonists- they simply intensify the effects of GABA; therefore, there is a limit to how much CNS depression benzodiazepines can produce. Benzodiazepines are so much safer than the barbiturates, which can directly mimic GABA. Since benzodiazepines potentiate the effects of GABA & the amount of GABA in the CNS is finite, there is a built-in limit to the depth of CNS depression they can produce. Barbiturates are direct-acting CNS depressants so maximal effects are limited only by the amount of barbiturate administered. Benzodiazepines Absorption and distribution Highly lipid soluble Readily crosses the BBB to reach sites in the CNS Benzodiazepines Metabolism Have metabolites that are pharmacologically active; therefore, drug response often persists long after the parent drug has disappeared. Benzodiazepines Time course of action In older adults, lorazepam [Ativan], which is not likely to accumulate with repeated dosing, is generally preferred. Benzodiazepines Therapeutic uses Anxiety Insomnia Seizure disorders Muscle spasm Alcohol withdrawal Perioperative Complications Benzodiazepines with Anxiety Drugs of first choice for anxiety Benzodiazepines with Insomnia Decrease in time to falling asleep, reduce awakenings, increase total sleeping time Benzodiazepines with Alcohol Withdrawals Benefits derive from cross-dependence with alcohol, which enables benzodiazepines to suppress symptoms brought on by alcohol abstinence. Benzodiazepines with Perioperative Complications Induction of anesthesia, conscious sedation, preoperative sedation CNS depression [Show More]

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