BDZ Flashcards
What is the standard treatment for benzodiazepine overdose or for reversing BZDs administered prior to surgery?
Flumazenil
Ethanol, benzodiazepines and barbituates all stimulate the GABA receptor. In what way do they do so?
Allosterically binding, hence increasing the affinity of GABA to the receptor.
Z-drugs have a higher or lower affinity for GABA receptors?
Higher
What are the four clinical (symptomatic) stages of increasing benzodiazepine dosing?
- Tranquilisation (relaxed, unconcerned)
- Sedation (decreased activity, decreased excitement)
- Hypnotism (increased drowsiness, onset and maintenance of sleep)
- General anaesthesia (LOC, inability to arouse patient)
Benzodiazepines are bond weakly or strongly to plasma proteins?
Strongly.
Hypnotic BZDs are usually short-acting or long-acting?
Short-acting
What are benzodiazepines used for treating?
Anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy and muscle spasms.
Benzodiazepines bind across which GABA subunits?
Alpha and gamma subunits.
Anxiolytic and anticonvulsant BZDs are usually long-acting or short-acting?
Long-acting.
Although Z-drugs have similar effects to benzodiazepines, they are not structurally related to them, true or false.
True
Benzodiazepines are safer than barbituates wrt overdoses, why?
They can cause death due to CVS and respiratory depression.
Which drugs have overtaken BZDs in the Rx of insomnia?
Zopiclone and zolpidem.
Respiratory depression can occur only with BZDs in what situation?
When co-ingested with another CNS depressant, such as alcohol. Otherwise it is very safe in overdose.
Explain the mechanism of tolerance and dependence of benzodiazepines.
Gotcha! It’s unknown.
Benzodiazepines have a slow onset of withdrawal, why?
Due to the long half life.
