Depressants Flashcards
What are central nervous system depressants?
Drugs that slow brain activity
What types of drugs are classified as depressants?
Sedatives
Hypnotics
Anxiolytics
What do sedative drugs do?
Decrease activity, moderate excitement, calm the individual
What do hypnotic drugs do?
Cause drowsiness and facilitate the onset and maintenance of sleep
List the uses of depressants (7)
Sleep-aids
Anti-anxiety
Seizure control
Calm during emergency treatment
Pre-surgery
Recreational use
Criminal purposes
What anxiety disorders can be treated with depressants?
GAD, panic
What are the three types of depressants?
Barbiturates
Benzodiazepines
Non-benzodiazepines
What is the function of GABA A receptors?
Regulate Cl- channels
Increase Cl- flow into the cell resulting in hyperpolarization
What type of receptor is GABA A?
Ionotropic receptor
Describe the mechanism of action of depressants.
GABA A agonists produce local hyperpolarization and inhibit cell firing.
Drugs have binding sites on GABA A complex, enhance the inhibitory effects.
Describe the structure of GABA A receptors.
5 subunits
What are the 5 subunits of GABA A receptors?
2 alpha
2 beta
1 y
How do BDZs interact with GABA?
Enhance the effect of GABA but have no effect on channel opening without it.
How do barbiturates interact with GABA?
Increase affinity of GABA A receptor for GABA
Can open Cl- channel without GABA
Which is more toxic, BDZs or barbiturates?
Barbiturates
