Anxiolytics Flashcards
use of anxiolytics?
tx sxs of anxiety and panic d/os
difference btw a sedative and a hypnotic?
sedative: calm the pt and reduces anxiety w/o inducing normal sleep; site of action is the limbic system which regulates thought and mental fxn
hypnotic: initiate and maintain normal sleep; site of action is ascending RAS which maintains wakefulness
5 things that can cause fatal withdrawal?
alcohol benzos barbituates chlorohydrate miltown (SOMA) all can cause CV arrest and death
common physical ssxs of anxiety?
tachycardia, trembling, sweating, palpitations
other methods of treatment?
psychotherapy including cognitive behavioral therapy
btw benzos and barbiturates which causes more neural depression? which can cause LOC? which has a higher therapeutic index? which can cause respiratory or cardiac depression? which effects REM sleep and can cause withdrawal?
barbiturates cause more neuronal depression, can cause LOC, have a low therapeutic index, can cause respiratory and cardiac depression, suppress REM sleep and can cause withdrawal sxs as well as hangover
benzos have less neuronal depression, a higher therapeutic index, they do not affect respiratory or cardiac fxn and have no effect on sleep
1st anxiolytic drug class to be developed?
barbiturates
action site for barbiturates vs benzos?
both seem to affect GABA sites on cell membranes of neurons in the CNS but not in the exact same location
general MOA of barbiturates and benzos?
when bind to GABA receptors, receptor site changes configuration and affinity of that site for holding on to GABA increases
what is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS of vertebrates?
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)
what are GABAa receptors? GABAb?
GABAa: ligand-gated ion channels (ionotropic receptors)
GABAb: G protein coupled receptors (metabotropic receptors)
what type of receptors does Ach bind to?
muscarinic and nicotinic
what receptors does serotonin bind to?
5-HT3 and metabotropic receptors
glutamate binds to what receptors?
inonotropic and metabotropic receptors
blocking GABA receptors can cause what? as well as being deficient in GABA…
seizure activity
so postulated augmenting GABA fxn can afford protection against seizures
classifications of barbiturates?
long acting - duration longer than 8 hrs
intermediate acting - duration of 4 hrs
short acting - duration less than 4 hrs
ultra short acting - duration less than 1 hr
increasing dosing of barbiturates can cause what?
can produce calming effect as well as sedation
at a higher level (IV) can cause sleep followed by anesthesia
at still higher dosing can cause coma and death
they do not raise pain threshold and have no analgesic properties
ultra short acting barbiturate?
thiopental/pentothal
use of thiopental/pentothal?
usu used in induction phase of general anesthesia
has also been used as a “truth serum” to weaken resolve of pt
also first of three drugs administered during most lethal injections in the US
SEs of thiopental/pentothal?
CNS depressant so can cause CV and respiratory depression resulting in hypotension, apnea and airway obstruction
how are short acting barbiturates usu given? example?
IV or PO
pentobarbital/nembutal