Tranquilisers and stimulants Flashcards
What are the 3 NICE steps in de-escalation?
- Risk assessment
- De-escalation
- Intervention
- Physical intervention or ‘restraint’
- Seclusion
- Rapid tranquilisation (chemical restraint)
List 3 possible medications used for rapid tranquilisation, their routes and doses.
- Lorazepam 2mg PO (max 4mg total)
- OR Lorazepam 2mg IM (max 4mg total)
- Haloperidol 5mg PO (max 12mg total)
- OR Haloperidol 5mg IM (max 20mg total)
- Promethazine 50mg PO (max 150mg total)
- OR Promethazine 50mg IM (max 150mg total)
Name a short acting benzodiazepine which is first line for RT. Name 3 antipsychotics which are licensed be used for RT.
Benzodiazepine: Lorazepam
Antipsychotics: Olanzapine, Aripiprazole and Haloperidol
List 3 risks associated with antipsychotic use as RT.
- arrythymia/death,
- NMS,
- EPSEs
Other than benzo/antipsychotic, what other drug may be used for RT?
Promethazine - sedatinh antihistamine
What are 3 risks of benzo use as RT?
- falls
- sedation
- reduced respiratory rate
Which of these vitals need to be monitored during RT administration?
- HR
- BP
- Full neuro obs
- GCS
- ECG tracing
- Temperature
- BM
- GCS - sedation
- HR - arrhythmias
- RR - benzo use may reduce this
- Temp - NMS risk
- BP
ECG and full neuro obs are not required
Define sedative medication. How do they usually work?
Drug that has a hypnotic +/- anxiolytic effects
Usually work by enhancing the effects of GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid)
List 2 types of medications and 2 types of recreational compounds which are sedatives.
Medications:
- Benzodiazepines
- Z drugs
Recreational:
- Alcohol
- GHB (roofies, date rape drug)
Withdrawal from sedatives is easy. True or false?
Withdrawals are potentially lethal
List 3 psychiatric and 3 medical uses for benzodiazepines.
Psychiatric:
- Insomnia (Short term),
- Severe anxiety (Short term),
- Sedation in Acute mania/psychosis (RT)
Medical:
- Alcohol withdrawals,
- Epilepsy prophylaxis,
- Seizure,
- Muscle spasm
- Anaesthesia
What is the MOA of benzodiazepines?
Bind GABA-A receptor at different allosteric sites
–> Receptor has greater affinity for GABA
–> Increased frequency of opening Cl- channel
–> Hyperpolarization of postsynaptic membrane
–> Reduced neuronal excitability/CNS depression
*NB barbituates increase duration of opening of the chloride channels.
Which benzodiazepines have a long vs short half life?
Midazolam and lorazepam have short half life
Diazepam and clonazepam have a long half life
What are the risks of benzodiazepine use in the elderly?
- Respiratory disease (COPD, OSA)
- Older patients
- Liver failure
- Falls risk (hypotension)
- Delirium and confusion
- Abuse potential/overdose
Another SE is sedation which sometimes is the desired effect but if not then risk when operating machinery and driving***
What is the antidose to benzodiazepines?
GABA-A antagonist called Flumazenil (given IV every minute)