Sedatives mode of action

Question 1

Benzodiazepines

Answer 1

• act on omega site on GABA_A complex
• all agonists except clonazepam which is a partial agonist
• they facilitate GABA action on GABA-A complex
• increase frequency and duration of chloride channel opening

Question 2

Chloral hydrate, paraldehyde and meprobamate

Answer 2

• barbiturate-like agents
• potentiate GABAergic neurotransmission
• poor safety profile and not used

Question 3

Flumazenil

Answer 3

-Benzodiazepine antagonist

Question 4

Ramelteon

Answer 4

• melatonin receptor full agonist for MT1 and MT2
• decreases sleep latency and increases sleep time
• lower abuse potential

Question 5

Thiopental

Answer 5

-acts directly on GABA-A complex and facilitates GABA transmission by opening chloride channels

Question 6

Z-drugs

Answer 6

• act on GABA-A complex but only occupy certain subunits

- slow wave sleep in unaffected