Anxiolytics & Hypnotics Flashcards
Long-acting BZDs:
Diazepam, Flurazepam, Clonazepam,
Intermediate-acting BZDs:
Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Temazepam,
Short-acting BZDs:
Triazolam
BZD antagonist:
Flumazenil
Barbiturates:
Thiopental
Other anxiolytic:
Buspirone
Other hypnotic:
Zopiclone
What are terms “anxiolytic” and “hypnotic”?
Anxiolytic (help pt relax)
- Calming effects
- Relief of anxiety
Hypnotic (help pt sleep)
- Promotes drowsiness
- Promotes onset and maintenance of sleep
What drugs are classified as Benzodiazepines (BZDs)?
Diazepam, Flurazepam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Temazepam and
Triazolam
What drugs are classified as Barbiturates?
Thiopental
What drugs are classified under “Others”?
Buspirone (anxiolytic), Zopiclone (hypnotic)
What is the action site of BZDs?
GABA-A receptor
What is a GABA-A receptor?
- GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in brain;
- GABA-A receptor is a hetero-oligomeric glycoprotein with 2X α, 2X β and 1X γ subunits.
- α subunit has 5 isoforms with α1-5
– α1 — hypnotic
– α2-5 — sedation, psychomotor effect - GABA-A receptor is a chloride channel
– Activation — chloride influx; hyperpolarizes neurons and decreases neuronal activity.
What is the action sites of the BZDs?
GABA-A receptor, Cl- channel
ENHANCE GABA actions (not directly activate receptor), increase Cl- channel opening
What is the action sites of the Barbiturates?
GABA-A receptor, Cl- channel
ENHANCE GABA actions; DIRECTLY ACTIVATE receptor at high concentration; inhibit glutamate AMPA receptor
What are the factors that affect rate of onset and duration of BZDs?
lipophilicity and biotransformation
What are the factors that affects onset (determined by absorption & distribution) of BZDs?
Lipophilicity
MORE LIPOPHILIC = MORE RAPID ONSET OF ACTION
What are the factors that affects duration (determined by biotransformations & excretion) of BZDs?
Biotransformation
MANY PHASE I METABOLITES OF BZDs ARE ACTIVE
Half-life of BZDs ↑, Duration ↑
What are the Long-acting BZDs?
Diazepam, Flurazepam, Clonazepam,
What are the Intermediate-acting BZDs?
Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Temazepam,
What are the Short-acting BZDs?
Triazolam
What is the main differences between BZDs?
rate of onset and duration of actions
What are BZDs therapeutic uses related to half-life?
- short acting is preferable for hypnotic
- longer acting preferable for anxiolytic
BZDs with long half-lives:
cause cumulative effects with multiple doses
What are the pharmacokinetics of Barbiturates?
- Lipophilic: absorbed and distributed rapidly.
- Metabolized in the liver, but slowly (with the exception of thiopental)
- HEPATIC CYT-P450 SYSTEM INDUCERS
Which Barbiturate drugs are Ultra-short-acting (30 min)?
thiopental for induction of anesthesia
Which Barbiturate drugs are Short-acting (18-48 hours)?
secobarbital, pentobarbital for hypnotic and sedative
Which Barbiturate drugs are Long-acting (4-5 days)?
phenobarbital for seizures