Neuro Drugs (CNS Depressants)

Question 1

Barbituates - PhenoBARBITAL, SecoBARBITAL, PentoBARBITAL

Answer 1

Uses: anesthesia induction, short-term anesthesia, control convulsions. Adverse = drowsiness, lethargy, dizziness, HA, hangover effect, resp. depression, mental depression. Interfere w/ REM. Cautious = elderly, associated w/ increased risk of falls. Loading dose may be required.

Question 2

Benzodiazepines - FlurazePAM, TemazePAM, Triazolant, MidazoLAM (Versed), LorazePAM (Ativan)

tx of epilepsy as a skeletal muscle relaxant or alcohol w/drawl - Valium, Klonopin

Answer 2

Uses: sedative-hypnotic, pre-anesthetic, tx of anxiety. Sleep induction, anxiety, alcohol w/drawl & epilepsy. Often used in combo w/ anesthesia or analgesic or conscious sedation. Adverse = HA, drowsiness, lethargy, dizziness, hangover effect & memory impairment. Cautious = elderly, associated w/ increased risk of falls. Major advantage = do not produce life-threatening resp. depression or coma if taken in excess. Result in less physical dependence than barbiturates.

Question 3

Skeletal Muscle Relaxant - Baclofen, Flexeril, Dantrium, Robaxin

Answer 3

Uses: tx of painful muscle spasms. Baclofen & Dentrium tx spasticity associated w/ chronic disorders (MS, cerebral palsy). Adverse = dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, lightheadedness, dry mouth, hypotension, bradycardia, edema of tongue, anaphylaxis, muscle weakness. Monitor AST, ALT w/ long-term use of Dantrium, associated w/ hepatotoxiticity.

Question 4

Msic. Sedative - Hypnotics - Noctec

Answer 4

Sedation, short-term tx of insomnia, alcohol w/drawl. Adverse = drowsiness, hangover effect, cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. Does not interfere w/ REM sleep.

Question 5

Misc. Sedative - Lunesta, Ambien

Answer 5

Uses: tx insomnia. Adverse = HA, tachycardia, nervousness, depression & anxiety.

Question 6

Misc. Anti-Seizure - Tegretol

Answer 6

Uses: Anti-seizure, alcohol w/drawl, acute mania associated w/ bipolar disorder, Trigeminal neuralgia. Adverse = aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, resp. depression, arrhythmias, AV block, Stevens Johnsons Syndrome.

Question 7

Misc. Anti-Seizure - Neurontin

Answer 7

Uses: Anti-seizure, adjunctive for partial seizures. Peripheral neuropathy, migraine prophylaxis. tx of vasomotor symptoms in women w/ breast cancer or postmenopasal women. Adverse = drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, increased frequency of partial seizures, leukopenia. Cautious = elderly

Question 8

Misc. Anti-Seizure - Depakote

Answer 8

Uses: Anti-seizure, migraine, prophylaxis, mania. Unlabeled use febrile seizures. Adverse = drowsiness, weight loss, bone marrow depression, pancreatitis, hepatotoxic, Stevens Johnson Syndrome, and deep coma w/ death OD.

Question 9

Misc. Anti-Seizure - Phenytoin

Answer 9

Uses: Anti-seizure, unlabeled use anti arrhythmic. Adverse = aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, gingival hyperplasia, Sevens Johnson Syndrome, hepatitis. BLACK BOX WARNING = Admin IV should not exceed 50mg/min in adults. Administer IVP slowly.