Benzodiazepines

Exam 1

Benzodiazepine

• therapeutic category of drugs that enhance the effects of GABA

• all CIV

Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)

• inhibitory neurotransmitter

• neurotransmitter that is enhanced when using benzodiazepines

3 classes of benzodiazepines

• anxiolytic

• anticonvulsant/antipanic

• hypnotic

anxiolytic benzodiazepines

• reduce anxiety

• alprazolam (Xanax)

• chlordiazepoxide

• lorazepam (Ativan)

• diazepam (Valium)

anxiolytic

medication that reduces anxiety

diazepam (Valium)

• only oral benzodiazepene indicated as a skeletal muscle relaxant

• used orally as adjunct therapy for seizures

• rectal gel used a rescue med for at home

alprazolam

• Xanax

lorazepam

Ativan

diazepam

Valium

anticonvulsant/antipanic benzodiazepines

• clonazepam (Klonopin)

• diazepam (Valium)

• midazolam (Nayzilam)

clonazepam (Klonopin)

• anticonvulsant/antipanic

• absence seizures, panic disorder

clonazepam

Klonopin

diazepam (valium)

• anticonvulsant/antipanic

• rectal gel → rescue medication for home treatment seizures in patients 2 years and older

midazolam (Nayzilam)

• anticonvulsant/antipanic

• nasal spray → rescue medication for home treatment of seizures in patients 12 years and older

midazolam

Nayzilam

hypnotic benzodiazepines

• temazepam (Restoril)

• triazolam (Halion)

temazepam

• hypnotic benzodiazepine

• Restoril

triazolam

• hypnotic benzodiazepine

• Halicon

patient counseling for benzodiazepines

• somnolence, avoid alcohol, dont discontinue abruptly, anterograde/retrograde amnesia

anterograde amnesia

• can’ form new memories

• can’t recall recent past

• short term memory

retrograde amnesia

• forget the distant past