Week 3: Essentials 1.3 Drugs

Question 1

Name 2 barbiturates & their MOA

Answer 1

Phenobarbital & Pentobarbital
Increase duration of GABA-gated chloride channel opening.
BarbiTuraTes & duraTion all have T’s in them

Question 2

What is the clinical use for barbiturates (Phenobarbital & Pentobarbital)?

Answer 2

Treatment of anxiety & a form of anesthesia

Question 3

What are the common side effects of barbiturates (Phenobarbital & Pentobarbital)?

Answer 3

Depression of CNS activity: sedation/hypnosis, dizziness, ataxia, headache, unsteadiness, nausea, blood dyscrasias, rash, mood change.
Paradoxical hyperactivity in peds.
**More likely to cause dependence than benzos.
***Overdose is lethal.

Question 4

What is the MOA for Midazolam, Alprazolam, Lorazepam, & Clonazepam?

Answer 4

Increasing the frequency of Cl- channel opening. Enhances GABA’s effects without directly activating GABA-a