Sedatives

Sedatives- Uses

Uses: Preanesthetic Antiepileptic Anxiolytic Treat insomnia Muscle relaxation

Sedatives - Actions

Action: Enhances GABA Effects on

acetylcholine and dopamine

Calming effects Decrease anxiety

Side effects Drowsiness,

confusion Depress respiratory

system Synergistic effects

w/alcohol GI problems Dependence

Sedatives - Categories

Barbituates - Schedule II, III & IV great risk of O.D. - toxic amount 10 times

recommended dose (Phenobarbital) (Pentobarbital)

Sedatives - Categories

Benzodiazepines - Schedule IV less risk of O.D. Valium (Diazepam)

anxiety, muscle relaxationSide effects - drowsiness, fatigue, ataxia

Xanax (Alprazolam)panic attacks, anxietyless “buzz” effect than Valium

Benzodiazepines - Hypnotics

Halcion (Triazolam)treat insomniaside effects - “hangover feeling”, headache,

nausea, blurred vision, memory losswas taken off the market for a while

Restoril (Temazepam)“hangover feeling”

Dalmane (Flurazepam)

Treatment of sleeplessness

Legitimate uses of sleeping meds.

Other ways to treat insomnia

OTC sleeping meds. - take >20 min. to work Diphenhydramine Side effect - drowsiness

Sedatives

Very addictingVery dangerous to

quit “cold turkey”

Withdrawal Symptoms Physical -

tremors, shakes, headache, insomnia, convulsions

Psychological - irritability, anxiety,

restlessness

Rohypnol

Powerful sleep inducing drugSchedule I drug – Controlled Substances

ActBanned BenzodiazepineMade in the U.S. – legal in Mexico