Central Nervous System Drugs Flashcards
Study of drugs that alter processes controlled by the nervous system
Neuropharmacology
Two methods how neurons regulate other cells
Axonal conduction
- Conducting an action potential down the axon of the neuron
Synaptic transmission
- Process by which information is carried across the gap between neuron and postsynaptic cell
Drugs used for psychiatric disorders, suppression of
seizures, relief of pain, production of anesthesia
CNS drugs
- Impedes the entry of drugs into the brain
- Passage is limited to lipid-soluble agents or via
specific transport systems - Children are much more sensitive to CNS
drugs than adults
Blood brain barrier
- Dysregulation of the transmitter’s serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine
- Characteristics: inattentiveness, inability to concentrate, restlessness, hyperactivity, inability to complete tasks and impulsivity
ADHD [Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder]
- Characterized by falling asleep during normal walking activities [driving/talking]
- Unable to move and may collapse
Narcolepsy
Give four CNS stimulants or amphetamines
Methylprenidate, Modafinil, Xanthine, Doxapram
- Slowly progressive neurodegenerative
disorder characterized by tremor, rigidity,
postural instability and slowed movement - Affects the extrapyramidal system which
influences movement
Parkinson’s Disease
Common adverse effect among levodopa, amantadine, and ropinirole
Orthostatic hypotension
Group of disorders characterized by excessive excitability of neurons in the CNS
Epilepsy
Why diazepam is not recommended for long-term use?
High potential to addiction
Defined as involuntary contraction of a muscle or muscle group
Muscle spasm
Three classes of muscle spasm
Centrally acting, direct acting, others
Withdrawing from a substance that has the potential to cause addiction can cause what?
Abstinence syndrome
Drugs used for opioid withdrawal support
Methadone, Catapres, Subutex
Drugs used for abstinence maintenance
Disulfiram, Naltrexone, Acamprosate
What happens to clients who intake antipsychotic and antidepressants in long term?
Will experience increased therapeutic effects
What happens to clients who intake phenobarbital and antiseizure drugs in long term?
Will experience decreased side effects of the drugs
Two types of seizures
Partial Seizures
- Excitation undergoes limited spread from the focus to adjacent cortical areas
Generalized Seizures
- Excitation spreads widely throughout both hemisphere of the brain
Most commonly prescribed anticonvulsant drug. Stabilized nerve cells to keep them from getting overexcited by increasing effux or decreasing influx of sodium ions
Phenytoin
