Kapatos: Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs Flashcards
Definitions
Sedatives:
Hypnotics:
Sedatives: produce calming or drowsiness
Hypnotics: facilitate onset and maintenance of sleep
Classification (Sedative or Hypnotic):
Assignment indicates therapeutic use for sedation (relief of anxiety) or to encourage sleep (hypnosis)
Classification based on clinical use rather than structure due to chemical heterogeneity
Classification (Sedative or Hypnotic):
Benzodiazepines vs. Barbituates
Can also be classified based on duration of action
o Benzodiazepines can be short, intermediate or long acting
o Barbituates can be ultra-short, short or long acting
Effects:
Effects: dose-dependent CNS depressant effects
Subgroups (2)
Subgroups:
- Benzodiazepines: most important subgroup
- Barbituates
Miscellaneous Agents: (7)
o Meprobamate (carbamate) o Chloral hydrate (alcohol) o Buspirone o Zolpidem o Zaleplon o Eszopiclone o Ramelteon
Non-Prescription Hypnotics: (3)
Antihistamines
Serotonin Precursor
Product of Serotonin Biosynthetic Pathway
Antihistamines: (2)
Antihistamines:
o Diphenyhydramine
o Doxylamine
Serotonin Precursor:
Serotonin Precursor: L-tryptophan
Product of Serotonin Biosynthetic Pathway:
Product of Serotonin Biosynthetic Pathway: melatonin (synthesized and secreted by pineal gland in a circadian rhythm controlled by SS nervous system)
Absorption and Distribution
Highly Lipid Soluble:
Cross BBB after absorption from the GI tract
Lipophilic nature causes some benzos to be unreliable after IM injection
- For example, chlordiazepam and diazepam
Thiopental (barbiturate) has the highest lipid solubility and enters the CNS rapidly (used for induction of anesthesia)
- CNS effects rapidly terminated by redistribution of the drug to other tissues
Absorption and Distribution
Important Point:
Due to high lipid solubility, all sedative-hypnotics cross the placenta (depress normal neonatal vital functions)
Also detected in breast milk (depressive effects in nursing infants)
Benzodiazepine Metabolism
Phase I Reactions:
Phase I Reactions: many (but not all) undergo hepatic microsomal oxidation by P450 enzymes (CYP3A4/2C19)
Benzodiazepine Metabolism
Phase II Reactions:
Phase II Reactions: all are eventually conjugated to form glucuronides that are excreted in the urine
CYP3A4 Interactions: (5)
Inhibition: increases blood levels of benzodiazepines
o Erythromycin and clarithromycin (macrolides)
o Itraconazole and ketoconazole (antifungals)
o Nefazodone
o Grapefruit juice
o Cimetidine
Active Metabolites:
What agents accumulate after continuous dosing? (2)
Active Metabolites: many metabolites of benzodiazepines are biologically active (long half-lives)
- Accumulate after continuous dosing: occurs with some drugs, leading to excessive sedation
- Diazepam and flurazepam
Continuous Dosing
Accumulation may occur in :
Less of an issue with:
What do not undergo hepatic microsomal activation and are conjugated directly?
Accumulation may occur in drugs with long half-lives (see above)
Less of an issue with benzodiazepines with shorter half lives (no active metabolites)
Oxazepam and lorazepam (do not undergo hepatic microsomal activation and are conjugated directly)
Zolpidem/Zaleplon/Eszopiclone
Short Duration of Action: due to rapid metabolism by liver enzymes
Overall Duration of Action
Can be only a few hours: (5)
Eszopiclone Zaleplon Zolpidem Triazolam Chloral hydrate
Overall Duration of Action
Can be as long as >30 hours: (4)
Chlordiazepoxide
Clorazepate
Diazepam
Phenobarbital
Mechanism of Action
General:
No single MOA has been identified, and different subgroups may have different actions
Benzodiazepines
Receptors:
Located in many areas of the brain (thalamus, limbic structures, cerebral cortex)
Form part of the GABAA receptor-chloride ion channel macromolecule complex
Benzodiazepines
Receptor Binding:
Facilitates the inhibitory actions of GABA by increasing the chloride ion conductance and hyperpolarizing the membrane (therefore, you need to have GABA present for these to work)
Increase the FREQUENCY of GABA-mediated chloride channel opening
Benzodiazepines
Receptor Antagonist:
Receptor Antagonist: Flumazenil (reverses CNS effects of benzos)