Benzodiazepines Flashcards
what are some examples of benzodiazepine uses?
seizures status epilepticus alcohol withdrawal sedation anxiety insomnia
what is often used as the antidote for benzodiazepines?
Flumazenil
how do benzodiazepines work?
They change the structure of the GABA receptor allowing GABA to attach more effectively.
This means GABA attaches better. making chloride enter the cell. the membrane potential is more negative further from threshold
what are negative effects of benzodiazepines?
Drowsy
Sedation
coma
dependance
what is chlordiazepoxide?
A benzodiazepine that can only be given orally.
it peaks within 1-4 hours with a 100 hour half life.
what is diazepam?
A benzodiazepine that can be given orally, IV,IM and rectally.
it peaks within 1-2 hours with a 100 hour half life
what is lorazepam?
A benzodiazepine that can be given orally, IM and IV.
it peaks within 1-4 hours and has a 15 hour half life
what is temazepam?
A benzodiazepine that can only be given orally. it peaks in 2-3 hours and half an 11 hour half life
what is midazolam?
A benzodiazepine that can be given orally, bucally, IV, IM or rectal. it has a half life of 0.5-1 hour with a 1-4 hour half life
what is often given for alcohol dependency?
chlordiazepoxide
what are the acute effects of alcohol on the CNS?
GABA agonist
NMDA antagonist
inhibitory effect leading to groggy state
what are the chronic effects of alcohol on the CNS?
downregulation of GABAa
upregulation of NMDA receptors
this is as it’s trying to fight the effects of alcohol leading to hyperexcitability
what are the time stages for effects of alcohol withdrawal?
6 hours of last drink: CNS hyper excitability lasts 24-48 hr
12-24 hours: alcoholic hallucinosis resolves in 24-48 hrs
12-48 hours is alcoholic seizures
49-96 hours is delirium tremens and lasts 1-5 days
what is the treatment for alcohol withdrawal?
a benzodiazepine
Pabrinex
Thiamine
Glucose
what benzodiazepine is better to give in patients with liver problems?
lorazepam as it relies less on the liver
