Benzodiazepines Flashcards
Mechanism of action
Act at GABAa receptors
Lipid soluble?
Highly - well absorbed rectally
Metabolism and excretion
Liver metabolism
Excreted in urine
CNS effects
anti anxiety/ antipanic
Sedation - age dependant - reliable in very young, very old or very sick animals
centrally acting muscle relaxant - relives sphincter muscle spasm in cats with urethral obstruction
anti-convulsant
appetite stimulant in cats
NO ANALGESIA
CVS effects
Very little depression
Resp effects
Very little depression - unless combined with an opioid
Antagonist?
Flumazenil, duration 30-60 mins
Examples
Diazepam, Midazolam
Diazepam
painful when given IM
can be given rectally
seizure control
Rapid onset, short duration
Midazolam
IV, IM, SQ
rapid onset, short duration