Sedatives

Question 1

sedatives include what 2 types of drugs?

Answer 1

benzodiazepines and barbituates

Question 2

what are two big examples of benzos?

Answer 2

diazepam and chlordiazepoxide

Question 3

what is the mechanism of action of benzos?

Answer 3

to modulate the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA

Question 4

what are the advantages of benzos compared to barbs?

Answer 4

less action potential, less profound CNS depression, larger therapeutic index, less respiratory depression

Question 5

what do many benzos form?

Answer 5

active metabolites

Question 6

what can IV injection of diazepam cause?

Answer 6

irritation such as thrombophlebitis due to the solvent the BDZ is dissolved in

Question 7

what is the barb, thiopental, action terminated by?

Answer 7

residtribution of the drug out of the brain- it enters the brain rapidly and exits rapidly, thus quick onset and short duration of action

Question 8

are barbs analgesic?

Answer 8

no

*this is usually in the form of a list of actions and they want you to indicate which one is not true

Question 9

how does barb overdose kill you?

Answer 9

respiratory depression

Question 10

in what patients are barbs contraindicated?

Answer 10

pt with intermittent porphyria bc prophyrin synthesis and thus with aggraveate the disease