CNS Pharm-- sedative, anti anxiety, antidepressants Flashcards
T/F All CNS drugs can pass through the BBB naturally
False: Some drugs require chemical modification to be able to pass
Drugs can impact neurotransmitters in what two ways?
Drugs may impact a specific neurotransmitters and have an impact only on a specific pathway OR they may have a more general effect and impact an entire region of the CNS
How do CNS drugs work?
Work by modifying the synaptic transmission, which is done by altering the quantity of neurotransmitters that is released from the presynaptic terminal by the neurotransmitters (Increase or decrease transmission at a specific synapse)
What are the two main categories of sedative-hypnotic drugs?
Benzos & Nonbenzos
What are the major side effects of sedative-hypnotic drugs? (Benzos/NonBenzos)
drug tolerance, physical dependence, hangover effect
What is a difference between benzos & nonbenzos?
shorter duration of action, shorter half life, less hangover effect than benzos
Describe the pharmokinetics of sedative drugs
Very lipid soluble = cross blood-brain barrier
Administered orally one dose at bedtime
Absorbed from the GI tract
Distributed uniformly throughout the body
Metabolized in the liver
Excreted through the kidneys
what drugs are used for anti-anxiety?
Benzodiazepines (Benzos), Buspirone (BuSpar), Antidepressants, beta blockers
What concerns should you have when an elderly person is on benzos & other anti-anxiety meds?
increased fall risk and hip fractures in older adults & benzos can cause confusion and memory problems
what anti-anxiety drug does not cause sedation?
Beta-blockers
In people with depression, there is a disturbance in CNS neurotransmission involving chemicals called:
amine neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine)
What drugs are used for anti-depression? (4)
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Tricyclics
Monoamine oxidase (MOA) inhibitors
Your patient wants to quit taking their anti-depression drug after 1.5 weeks of taking it because its not helping. What should you tell your patient?
They take 2-4 weeks to start working
T/F Anti-depression drugs can be used to treat chronic pan
True: The impact the drugs have on the CNS monoamine neurotransmitters impacts pain as well (Exact mechanisms of action remain unknown)
- Can be used as the primary or adjunct treatment for those with chronic pain
What is the primary drug to treat bipolar disorder?
Lithium
