General Pharmacology Study Guide: CNS Depressants and Muscle Relaxants

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to CNS depressants, muscle relaxants, and pharmacology principles pertinent to the lecture content.

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants

Drugs that slow down activity in the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.

Sedative

A drug that calms the CNS, reducing nervousness, excitability, and irritability without causing sleep at normal doses.

Hypnotic

A drug that causes sleep and has a more potent calming effect on the CNS than a sedative.

Sedative-Hypnotic

A drug that can act as either a sedative or a hypnotic, depending on the dosage and patient response.

REM Sleep

Rapid Eye Movement sleep, essential for mental rest and cognitive function.

REM Interference

Reduction of REM sleep caused by sedative-hypnotic drugs, which can lead to daytime fatigue.

Benzodiazepines (Schedule IV)

Drugs that enhance the action of GABA and are used for sedation, anxiety relief, sleep induction, and muscle relaxation.

Flumazenil (Romazicon)

An antidote for benzodiazepine overdose that reverses sedation by blocking receptor sites.

Muscle Relaxants

Drugs used primarily to relieve painful musculoskeletal conditions, often in conjunction with physical therapy.

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

Most commonly used muscle relaxant for spasms after musculoskeletal injuries.

Dantrolene (Dantrium)

A direct-acting muscle relaxant that reduces contraction by limiting calcium release from muscle fibers.

Orexin Receptor Antagonists

Drugs that promote sleep by blocking orexin receptors, which promote wakefulness.

StatEpilepticus

A medical emergency involving continuous seizures with no recovery between episodes.

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Prototypical AED for generalized and focal seizures with a narrow therapeutic index.

Lithium (Lithobid)

Mood-stabilizing drug used for bipolar disorder with a narrow therapeutic range.