CNS DRUGS - Stimulants and Depressants

What types of CNS drug are there

Stimulants, depressants.

What types of stimulants are there

amphetamines, anorexants and analeptics the three ‘a’s

what types of depressants are there

sedative-hypnotics and anesthetics

what types of sedative hypnotics are there

barbiturates and benzodiazepines, non benzodiazepines and melatonin agonists (really just the first two, think ‘b’s)

what types of barbituates are there

four types:

ultra-short acting

short acting

intermediate

long acting

how do sedative-hypnotics work

they shut down the body. deactivate the adrenergic receptors

side effects of sedative hypnotics

amnesia, suppress stage 4 of NREM sleep, hangover, REM rebound, respiratory and actual mental depression

how do stimulants work

they wake up the body, activate receptors

side effects of stimulants

increased HR, palpations, increased BP and vasoconstriction, dizziness, anorexia, alertness.

how do anesthetics work and how they are different than sedative-hypnotics

anesthesia is loss of sensation with or without loss of consciousness

sedative hypnosis is shutting down of the CNS to produce sleep

what are the stages of anesethesia

1 - analgesia - starts with consciousness ends with the transfer out of that phase

2 - excitement: loss of consciousness itself

3 - unconsciousness - when the surgery is done

4- medullary paralysis- paralysis and respiratory depression

what 5 things do you usually use for anesthesia

• hypnotics

• opioid analgesics

• short acting non barbiturates,

• muscle relaxants

• inhaled analgesic

what are amphetamines used for

ADHD

what are benzodiazepines and barbituates used for

sleep