anxiety/insomnia drugs Flashcards
Generalized Anxiety Disorder:
6 months or more of excessive worry or anxiety, generally with an unidentified cause.
panic disorder
periods of sudden, intense fear or terror and feelings of impending doom.
social anxiety disorder
persistent fear and anxiety in social or performance situations that are recognized as excessive or unreasonable. These situations are either avoided or endured with intense anxiety.
agoraphobia
intense fear in at least 2 settings (public transportation, open spaces, closed spaces, standing in line, being in a crowd, being outside the home alone)
PTSD
follows a traumatic event, characterized by increased arousal and avoidance of stimuli that approximate the original traumatic event
OCD
Obsessive or intrusive thoughts that cannot be controlled and are repetitive. (e.g., washing hands, combing hair, cleaning house)
3 groups of Pharmacotherapeutic Options for Anxiety & Related Disorders
- benzodiazepines
- non-benzos: anti-depressants, buspirone
- MISC: BBs, MAOIs, antihistamines, barbituates, antipyschotics
sedative vs hypnotic drugs
sedative: anxiolytic (calming) effect but ideally don’t produce sleep (no CNS depression)
hypnotic: low doses = encourage drowsiness- onset and maintenance of sleep. CNS depression
Most sedatives will first cause _____
Then, at higher doses, produce ______
sedation
hypnosis
what are the benzodiazepine drugs?
all end in “pam” or “lam”
include xanax, versed, valium, klonopin, etc.
benzos are schedule __ substances
schedule IV- hold potential for addiction and OD (MUST give naloxone when prescribing this)
5 properties shared by benzos (to varying degrees)
Anxiolytic Hypnotic Muscle relaxation Anticonvulsant Amnesic actions ( agent: versed)
what does binding of GABA to GABAa receptor cause?
increase CL- through the channel = hyperpolarization =makes it harder to cell to depolarize = reduces neuronal excitability (calming effect)
(inhibitory in action)
what is the MOA of benzos ?
increase Cl- flow through channel by binding alpha and gamma GABA subunits = reduce neuronal excitability
what is the distribution of benzo drugs?
large distribution b/c they are lipophilic
effect of individual benzo agents depends on what 4 factors?
- receptor affinity
- lipid solubility
- metabolism
- half-life
what is the significance of receptor affinity for benzo agents?
high potency = higher GABAa affinity = more intense withdrawal symptoms
(alprazolam, lorazepam)
what is the significance of lipid solubility for benzo agents?
higher lipophilic = more rapid onset and may wear off quicker
(midazolam)
lower lipophilic = more sustained effect
(clonazepam)
what is the significance of metabolism for benzo agents? what are the three types ?
- oxidative metabolism (majority)
- have active metabolites that extend DOA
- glucoronidation (LOT: lorazepam, oxazepam, temazepam)
why are the LOT agents safer benzos for elderly to use?
they undergo glucoronidation (not converted to active metabolites- excreted unchanged in urine) = less likely to accumulate to toxic levels
what is the significance of half life for benzo agents?
Extended in hepatic and renal dysfunction and the elderly
two agents with low potency and short half life (<12 hrs) ?
xanax (alprazolam) and versed (midazolam)
two agents with intermediate halfe like and potency?
klonapin (clonazepam) and ativan (lorazepam)
what agent has long half life (>40hrs ) and high potency?
valium (diazepam )
short half life/ low potency vs long half life/high potency (kinda weeds)
Short half-life/high potency (for acute management)
- Rapid acting agents for quick relief of symptoms
- Tolerance develops quickly
- Withdrawal problems common
- Interdose breakthrough symptoms occur
Long half-life/low potency: “hangover” effect in morning
Accumulate in older adults
what are the short acting benzos? (4)
Short Acting: “ATOM” Alprazolam Triazolam Oxazepam Midazolam
what are the intermediate acting benzos (3) ?
Intermediate Acting: “TLC”
Temazepam
Lorazepam
Clonazepam
what are the long acting benzos (4)?
Long Acting: “CDeF” Clorazepate Chlordiazepoxide Diazepam Flurazepam
with increased doses, benzos can cause what ADRs?
- drowsy/lethargy
- Impaired motor coordination, dizziness, vertigo, slurred speech, blurry vision, mood swings, euphoria, hostile or erratic behavior
- respiratory depression
Benzos with longer 1/2 life have what major concern?
accumulation =delayed symptoms of over-medication.
respiratory depression from Benzos are ____-dependent, exacerbated when administered with ____, _____ or _____?
Dose dependent, exacerbated when administered with opioids, alcohol or given to patients with COPD
how can you avoid residual daytime sedation with benzos? how to avoid rebound insomnia?
daytime sedation- use lowest effective dose
rebound insomnia- when discontinuing, taper
what is anterograde amnesia? what can cause it?
benzos: impaired memory and recall