CNS Depressants

Question 1

CNS Depressants Matrix Major Indicators (HGN-MT)

Answer 1

HGN: Present
VGN: Present H/D
LOC: Present
PS-Normal (1)-Soma, Quaaludes, & some anti-depressants usually dilate pupils. 
R2L: Slow
PR: Down (2)-Quaaludes, ETOH, & some anti-depressants may elevate.
BP: Down
BT: Normal
MT: Flaccid

Question 2

CNS Depressants Matrix General Indicators (GI)

Answer 2

GI CODE: D4STU2 (8)

Disoriented
Drowsiness
Droopy eyelids
Drunk-like Behavior
Slow, Sluggish Reactions
Thick, Slurred Speech
Uncoordinated
Unsteady Walk

Question 3

CNS Depressants Matrix Duration of Effects (DOE)

Answer 3

Ultra-short: A few mins
Short: Up to 5 hours
Intermediate: 6-8 hours
Long: 8-14 hours

Question 4

CNS Depressants Matrix Usual Methods of Administration (UMOA)

Answer 4

Injected (occasionally)
Insufflation
Oral

Question 5

CNS Depressants Matrix Overdose Signs (OS)

Answer 5

Clammy Skin
Coma
Rapid, Weak Pulse
Shallow Breathing

Question 6

What was the first non-alcoholic Depressant?

Answer 6

Chloral Hydrate (1832); utilized clinically (1869).

Derived from Alcohol.

“Notec” is a registered brand name of Chloral Hydrate. Another name “Mickey-Finn” is often associated with this drug.

Question 7

Overview of Category: CNS Depressants

Answer 7

CNS Depressants slow down the operations of the brain.

• First affect the areas of the brain that control a person’s conscious, voluntary actions such as judgement, inhibitions, and reaction time.
• As the dose increases=parts of the brain that control automatic processes (heartbeat, respiration) are affected.

Question 8

What is the single most commonly-abused drug in America contained within CNS Depressants?

Answer 8

Alcohol.

Question 9

CNS Depressants Major Sub Categories

Answer 9

Barbiturates
Derivatives of Barbituric Acid (More than 250)

Non-Barbiturates-
Chloral Hydrate

Anti-Anxiety Tranquilizers-
The “Minor Tranquilizers”/”Benzodiazepines”

Antidepressants-
The “Mood Elevators”

Anti-Psychotic Tranquilizers-
The “Major Tranquilizers”; “Thorazine”

Combinations-
Designer Depressants Utilizing the other sub-categories.

Question 10

Barbiturates

Answer 10

CNS Depressant Sub Category
Used to treat: Sedatives, convulsions/seizures, epilepsy
Often in pill form.

Drugs associated/Brand or Trade Name (Key: BARBITAL):
Amobarbital/Amytal
Amosecodbarbital/Tuinal
Pentobarbital/Nembutal: “Yellows” or “Yellow Jackets”
Phenobarbital/Luminal (*) 15mg= 1 oz of 80 proof liquor
Secobarbital/Seconal

Question 11

Non-Barbiturates

Answer 11

CNS Depressant Sub Category
Used to treat: Muscle Relaxant, Seizures, Sleep Aid, Surgery Anesthetic, Allergies

Drugs associated/Brand or Trade Name:
Carisoprodol/Soma: Muscle Relaxant
Chloral Hydrate/Noctec or Somnote: Surgery Anesthetic
Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride/Benadryl: Allergies
Diphenylhydantoin Sodium/Dilantin: Epilepsy or Seizures
Eszopiclone/Estorra or Lunesta: Sleep Aid
Gamma Hydroxybutyrate/GHB or Liquid X: Medical sedation; often used as a date rape drug.
Methaqualone/Quaalude
Zolpidem/Ambien: Therapuetic doses designed to aid sleep.

Question 12

Anti-Anxiety Tranquilizers-

The “Minor Tranquilizers”/”Benzodiazepines”

Answer 12

CNS Depressant Sub Category
Used to treat: Anxiety, Convulsions, Panic Attacks, Sedation

Drugs associated/Brand or Trade Name:
Alprazolam/Xanax (): Top CNS Depressant, Anti-Anxiety
Chlordiazepoxide/Librium
Clonazepam/Klonopin (): Anti-convulsant
Diazepam/Valium (*): Anti-Anxiety/Anti-Convulsant
Estazolam/ProSom: Intermediate Acting Benzo’s
Flunitrazepam/Rohypnol: Sedation; often used as date rape drug, “Roofies”
Lorazepam/Ativan or Temesta

Question 13

Antidepressants-

The “Mood Elevators”

Answer 13

CNS Depressant Sub Category
Used to treat: Depression

Drugs associated/Brand or Trade Name:
Amitriptyline Hydrochloride/Elavil or Endep: Uptake Inhibitor, "Keep you happy longer"
Duloxetine/Cymbalta: Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor
Escitalopram/Lexpro (*)
Fluozetine/Prozac (*)
Paroxetine/Paxil (*)
Sertraline/Zoloft (*)
Venlafaxine/Effexor (*)

CNS Depressant Exception (1) Dilated Pupils and (2) Elevated Pulse Rate. Can cause dry mouth, sore throat, blurred vision, etc.

Question 14

Anti-Psychotic Tranquilizers-

The “Major Tranquilizers”

Answer 14

CNS Depressant Sub Category
Used to treat: Mental health grade tranquilizers. Often assigned to individuals with Bi-Polar disorder, Schizophrenia and severe depression.

Drugs associated/Brand or Trade Name:
Aripiprazole/Abilify
Chlorpromazine/Thorazine
Haloperidol/Haldol: Used in ER to treat overdose of marijuana.
Lithium Carbonate/Lithane: Mania
Quetiapine/Seroquel

Question 15

Combinations-“Designers”

Answer 15

CNS Depressant Sub Category
Designer Depressants Utilizing the other sub-categories.
Used to treat: Anti-psychotic/Severe Depression

Drugs associated/Brand or Trade Name:
Chlordiazepoxide in combo with Amitriptyline/Limbitrol
Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride combo w/Clidinium Bromide/Librax
Perphenazine combo w/ Amitriptyline Hydrochloride/Trilafon or Etrafon

Question 16

CNS Depressant Duration Classes

Answer 16

Ultra-Short: Fast acting, brief
Short: Commonly abused, fast acting; lasts appr. 4 hrs.
Intermediate: Slow acting, but prolonged effect
Long: Delayed, long lasting effects.

Note: Short-Intermediate contains several Anti-anxiety Tranq. and Non-Barbiturates of choice.