Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs Flashcards

Flashcards covering the key concepts of sedative-hypnotic drugs, including mechanisms of action, uses, and adverse effects.

Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs

Drugs used to relieve anxiety, exert a calming effect, or encourage sleep.

Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates

Reduce anxiety at low doses, with higher doses producing sedation and sleep, and are considered to be safer.

GABA

Major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS.

Benzodiazepines Mechanism of Action

Enhancement of GABA-stimulated channel opening and chloride influx.

Anxiety disorders medications

Lorazepam, Diazepam, Alprazolam.

Sleep disorder medications

Triazolam, Temazepam.

Amnesia medication

Midazolam.

Seizure medications

Lorazepam, Diazepam.

Muscular disorder medication

Diazepam.

Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

Confusion, anxiety, agitation, restlessness, insomnia, tension, and seizures.

Flumazenil

GABA receptor antagonist that rapidly reverses the effects of benzodiazepines.

Buspirone Mechanism of Action

Partial agonist at serotonin receptors 1A, with some affinity for dopamine receptor 2.

Buspirone Therapeutic Use

Generalized anxiety disorder.

Barbiturates Mechanism of Action

Enhancement of GABA-stimulated chloride channel function.

Barbiturates Therapeutic Use

Anesthesia (short-acting).

Zolpidem, Zaleplon, Eszopiclone (Z compounds) Mechanism of Action

Enhancement of GABA-stimulated channel opening and chloride influx.

Ramelteon, Tasimelteon Mechanism of Action

Selective agonists at the melatonin receptors 1 and 2.

Suvorexant Mechanism of Action

Selective antagonist of orexin receptors 1 and 2.

Antihistamines Mechanism of Action

Histamine receptor 1 (H1) blocker.

Z Compounds

Have relative selectivity for GABAA receptors with the α1 subunit and are used to treat insomnia.

Buspirone

Is a serotonin receptor 1A partial agonist that is used to treat generalized anxiety disorder.