CH4: CNS DRUGS Flashcards
What are the long acting benzodiazepines?
CCAD
Chlordiazepoxide
Clobazam
Alprazolam
Diazepam
What are the short acting benzodiazepines?
LO
- Lorazepam
- Oxazepam
Side effects of benzodiazepines?
- Paradoxical effects (opposite effect = due toxicity) e.g. anxious, aggressive, hostility, excited
- Sedative effects
- Increased by use with alcohol, CNS depressants (opioids, other sedatives) and CYP inhibitors.
Name the benzodiazepines that have a driving limit
COLD FT
Clonazepam
Oxazepam
Lorazepam
Diazepam
Flunitrazepam
Temazapam
Antidote for benzodiazepine overdose
Flumazenil
Benzos in pregnancy?
- Use may cause neonatal withdrawal symptoms
- AVOID unless there is a clear indication such as seizure control
What are the dependency symptoms for benzos? & how long this can occur in long term and short term use
anxiety, weight loss, loss of appetite, sweating, tremor and tinnitus
May occur up to 3 weeks for long term use of benzos, up to 1 day for short term use.
How to slowly withdraw benzos?
- Convert all benzos to ONCE a nightly dose of diazepam
- Reduce dose to 1-2mg (1/10th of the larger dose) every 2-4 weeks
> can reduce further if pt has overcome withdrawal symptoms - Reduce further (0.5mg to near end)
What class of drugs should be avoided when using benzos?
- Beta blockers
- Antipsychotics
- Antidepressants (SSRIs, TCA, MAOIs)
Sertraline
- 1st line treatment for treating depression
- Safer for patients with cardiac events
- better tolerated and safe in overdose
Fluoxetine
licensed for ages 5-18 for treating depression
SSRIs side effects
• GI disturbances: diarrhoea, vomiting
• Weight gain/ fluctuations
• Sexual dysfunction
• Risk of bleeding: increased by NSAIDs, anticoagulants… => offer GI protection
• Insomnia- take in morning to avoid this
• QT prolongation (Especially with escitalopram/ citalopram)
• Hyponatraemia
• Suicide ideation
• Serotonin syndrome
• Hypersensitivity – stop if rash occurs
What TCAs are not recommended for treatment of depression
- Amitriptyline
- Dosulepin
They are both dangerous in overdose.
State the sedating TCAs
CATD
Clomipramine
Amitriptyline
Dosulepin
Trazadone
better for agitated and anxious patients – helps with sleep
State the less sedating TCAs
NIL
Nortriptyline
Imipramine (most antimuscarinic)
Lofepramine (hepatotoxic)
Better for withdrawn and apathetic patients