CNS Depressants Flashcards

1
Q

Are CNS depressant sympatholytic or sympathomimetic

A

Sympatholytic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Most widely used substance of abuse

A

Alcohol

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Medical uses of ethanol

A

Relief long lasting pain
Methyl alcohol and ethylene glycol poisoning
Disinfectant or antiseptic
Solvent

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How is alcohol used to treat long lasting pain

A

Epidural, subarachnoid and lumbar paravertebral injections of ethanol destroys sympathetic ganglia and produce vasodilation and relieve pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Which enzymes metabolize alcohol

A

Alcohol dehydrogenase
Aldehyde dehydrogenase
Mixed function microsomal oxidase (Cytochrome p450 2E1) or Microsomal Ethanol Oxidising Systems (MEOS)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Explain the biphasic activity of ethanol

A

Preferential suppression of inhibitory neurons followed by
Global inhibition of all CNS Neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Which receptors or pathways does alcohol affect

A

Enhance GABA and Glycine inhibition
Inhibit VG Ça channels
Activates K channels
Inhibits ionotropic Glutamate receptors
Inhibits adenosine transport

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Effects of alcohol diuresis

A

Dehydration
Thirst
Lightheadedness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How does alcohol trigger an inflammatory response

A

Direct toxicity of acetaldehyde and alcohol on neurons

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Effects of alcohol on glucose metabolism

A

Causes hypoglycemia by inhibiting gluconeogenesis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Effects of alcohol on vascular smooth muscle

A

Alcohol and acetaldehyde causes vasodilation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Effects of alcohol on gastric mucosa

A

Irritates lining of stomach and stimulates acid secretion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Why is acetaminophen avoided in managing alcohol abuse

A

It can exacerbate hepatotoxicity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which drugs are used to alleviate acute symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

A

Benzodiazepines
Propranolol
Clonidine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Drugs to reduce alcohol craving

A

Naltrexone
Nalmefene
Baclofen
Acamprosate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Drugs to maintain remission in alcoholism

A

Topiramate
Acamprosate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Which fluid is used to replace potassium in hospitalized alcoholics

A

Ringers lactate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Which antacids are preferred to manage stomach upset in alcoholics

A

Aluminium based antacids are preferred over magnesium based antacids

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Mild to moderate symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

A

Sweats
Tachycardia
Tremors
Insomnia
Anxiety
Psychomotor agitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Severe symptoms of alcohol withdrawal

A

Generalised tonic clonic seizures
Delirium tremens
Hallucinations

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which receptors mediate alcohol withdrawal symptoms

A

GABA receptors
NMDA receptors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which benzodiazepines are preferred in alcohol withdrawal

A

Longer acting ones
Chlordiazepoxide
Clorazepate
Diazepam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Why are longer acting benzodiazepines preferred in alcohol withdrawal

A

Easier weaning because they usually self taper on metabolism and excretion, leading to less fluctuations in plasma drug levels
They cause fewer rebours effects and withdrawal seizures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

When are short acting benzodiazepines used in alcohol withdrawal

A

For alcoholics with liver disease and the elderly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Examples of short acting benzodiazepines

A

Lorazepam
Oxazepam
Temazepam

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Role of thiamine and other vitamins in managing alcoholism

A

To increase glucose utilization by the brain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

Role of antipsychotics in alcoholism management

A

To manage hallucinations and severe agitation

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

Examples of antipsychotics used in alcohol withdrawal

A

Haloperidol
Quetiapine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Role of baclofen in alcohol withdrawal

A

GABAb receptor agonist
Skeletal muscle relaxant
Antispasmodic

30
Q

Role of clonidine in managing alcohol withdrawal

A

alpha 2 agonist
Inhibits exaggerated neurotransmitter release

31
Q

Role of propranolol in alcohol withdrawal

A

Blocks effects of excessive sympathetic activity

32
Q

Name some agents whose metabolism is inhibited by disulfiram

A

Phenytoin
Oral anticoagulants
Isoniazid

33
Q

Drugs that can inhibit aldehyde dehydrogenase

A

Metronidazole
Cefotetan
Trimethoprim
Disulfiram

34
Q

Why is the combination of naltrexone and disulfiram avoided

A

Both are hepatotoxic

35
Q

Acamprosate is avoided in which patients

A

Patients with severe renal impairment

36
Q

Common adverse effects of Acamprosate

A

GIT effects - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
Rash

37
Q

Does Acamprosate participate in any drug drug interactions

A

No

38
Q

Benefits of nalmefene in alcohol withdrawal

A

Longer duration of action
No dose dependent hepatotoxicity
Higher affinity for mu and kappa opioid receptors

39
Q

Role of gabapentin in alcoholism

A

Treat epileptic seizures and neuropathic pain

40
Q

Role of varenicline in alcohol withdrawal

A

Reduces alcohol consumption
Also used for smoking cessation

41
Q

What type of receptors are opioid receptors

A

GPCRs
Coupled t Gi and inhibit adenylyl cyclase

42
Q

Effect of mu receptors on dopamine

A

Located on inhibit GABA neurons which cause disinhibition of dopamine neurons

43
Q

Effects of Mu receptor activation

A

Euphoria
Dependence
Analgesia
Sedation
Depression

44
Q

Effect of kappa receptor activation

A

Expressed on and inhibit dopamine neurons causing dysphoria

45
Q

Oral bioavailability of tramadol

A

High oral bioavailability
Averaging 70% irrespective of food

46
Q

Mechanism of tramadol

A

Low affinity to mu receptors
Increases serotonin release
Inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake

47
Q

Symptoms of opioid withdrawal

A

Piloerection
Dysphoria
Lacrimation
Mydriasis
Restlessness
Abdominal cramps

48
Q

Uses of clonidine in opioid withdrawal

A

Attenuate the symptoms of anxiety, hypertension, piloerection, tachycardia and chills

49
Q

Role of methadone in opioid withdrawal

A

long acting mu-opioid agonist that suppresses withdrawal symptoms and controls the craving for opioids in maintenance therapy

50
Q

Why is methadone a good choice for opioid withdrawal

A

It has less likelihood of inducing withdrawal symptoms due to its long duration of action

51
Q

Drugs used to maintain remission in opioid withdrawal

A

Naltrexone
Nalmefene

52
Q

Nalmefene or Naltrexone be used at least …… days after abstinence to avoid inducing acute withdrawal.

A

Seven

53
Q

Advantages of Nalmefene relative to naltrexone

A

Longer half life
No hepatotoxicity
Greater oral bioavailability

54
Q

Mechanism of action of buprenorphine

A

Partial mu receptor agonist

55
Q

Role of buprenorphine in opioid use disorder

A

Reduces craving whiles blocking or blunting the euphoric effects of full agonist

56
Q

How long should benzodiazepines be prescribed to avoid dependence

A

1-2 weeks

57
Q

How long does it take to develop dependence when one is on benzodiazepines

A

3-4 weeks

58
Q

For which effects are benzodiazepines mostly abused

A

Euphoric effects

59
Q

Action of benzodiazepines

A

Sedatives
Anxiolytic
Anticonvulsant

60
Q

Examples of ultrashort scaring benzodiazepines

A

Midazolam
Zolpidem

61
Q

Short acting benzodiazepines

A

Lorazepam
Oxazepam
Temazepam

62
Q

Long acting benzodiazepines

A

Chlordiazepoxide
Flurazepam
Diazepam
Clonazepam
Clorazepate

63
Q

Medium acting benzodiazepines

A

Alprazolam
Nitrazepam

64
Q

Symptoms of benzodiazepines withdrawal

A

Insomnia
Restlessness, agitation, paranoia
Severe headaches
Manic disorders
Perceptual disorders
Hallucinations
Seizures
Sweating, muscle cramps, twitches

65
Q

Anticonvulsants used in benzodiazepines withdrawal

A

Carbamazepine
Pregabalin

66
Q

Antidote for benzodiazepines withdrawal

A

Flumazenil

67
Q

Symptoms of barbiturate toxicity

A

Respiratory depression
Hypothermia
Sweating
Ataxia
Generalised seizures
Vertigo
Slurred speech
Altered consciousness
Insomnia
Anxiety
Tremors

68
Q

Effects for which benzodiazepines are abused

A

Euphoria
Relaxation
Drowsiness
Disinhibition

69
Q

Symptoms of barbiturates withdrawal

A

Grand mal seizures
Increased temperature
Shaky hands
Tachycardia
Tachypnea
Insomnia
Hyperthermia

70
Q

Examples of barbiturates

A

Amobarbital- Amytal
Secobarbital- Seconal
Phenobarbital
Butalbital
Thiopental