CNS Depressants Flashcards
Hypnotics
Drugs that have a sleep-inducing effect. (Tranquilizers, sleeping pills, anti anxiety drugs, or sedatives.)
Sedative-hypnotics
Synthetic compounds, prescribed for use under medical supervision.
Barbiturates
-CNS depressants
-Used to treat anxiety, induce sleep, and control seizures.
-Overdose causes death by respiratory failure or seizures.
Ultra-short acting barbiturates
With rapid onset of effects used as surgical anesthetics. These drugs produce anesthesia within one minute of intravenous administration.
Short-intermediate acting barbiturates
Calming and sleep agents, have an onset effect from 15 to 40 minutes after oral administration.
-Highly abusable.
Long-acting barbiturates
Onset times of up to one hour after use, but duration of effects is 16 hours. Used as sedatives, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants. Ex: luminal, mebaral, and Gemini.
Withdrawal from barbiturates
Anxiety, tremors, nightmares, insomnia, vomiting, and seizures. Can be life-threatening.
LD-50
Lethal dose of a drug that would kill 50% of people who took that dosage.
Minor tranquilizers
Depressant drugs used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Antianxiety agents.
Diazepam (valium)
One of the most popular minor tranquilizers prescribed by physicians.
Benzodiazepines
Ativan, Serax, Centrax, Xanax, etc. Sleep agents and anti-anxiety (anxiolytics) agents. Schedule IV substance, classified according to their half-life.
Potentiation
When two CNS depressants are combined resulting in a synergistic process that increases the effects of both substances.
What is the difference between opioids and opiates?
Opiates occur naturally (morphine and codeine) opioids are manufactured synthetically (methadone, fentanyl.)
What is the most dangerous and addictive options?
Heroin
Agonists
Increase CNS effects