This document discusses sedative-hypnotic drugs, including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and other agents. It covers their mechanisms of action, involving facilitation of GABA and inhibition of glutamate. It also summarizes their clinical uses for anxiety, sleep disorders, sedation, seizures and detoxification. Side effects include cognitive impairment. Overdose can cause respiratory and cardiovascular depression.
4. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
• Lipid soluble
• Absorbed well from the GIT
• Good distribution to the brain
• Metabolized before elimination from
the body by hepatic enzymes
5. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
BENZODIAZEPINES
• Converted initially to active metabolites
with long half-lives
• Diazepam and flurazepam
After several days of therapy
accumulation of active metabolites
can lead to excessive sedation
7. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
BENZODIAZEPINES
• Bz receptors
Form part of GABAA receptor-chloride
ion channel macromolecular structure
Binding facilitates the inhibitory actions
of GABA
Increased GABA mediated chloride ion
conductance
20. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
OTHER DRUGS
• Buspirone
Partial agonist at serotonin receptor
(5-HT receptor)
Impairment of mental activity
Psychomotor impairment
Selective with minimal depressant
effects on the CNS
21. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
OTHER DRUGS
• Zolpidem and zaleplon
Exert their CNS effects via interaction
with benzodiazepine receptors
Bind more selectively
Antagonize by flumazenil
22. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
DRUG A - BARBITURATES dose = CNS
depression
DRUG B - BENZODIAZEPINES
- flatter dose response curve
- greater margin of safety
DRUG A
DRUG B
23. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
1. Sedation
2. Hypnosis
• Promote sleep onset
• Increase the duration of the sleep state
STAGES OF SLEEP
a. REM (Rapid eye movement)
• Dream
• Decreases at high doses
b. Non-REM
• 70-75%
24. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
3. Anesthesia
• Thiopental (barbiturate)
• Midazolam (benzodiazepine)
• Loss of consciousness, amnesia
and suppression of reflexes
25. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
4. Anticonvulsant actions
• Phenobarbital, clonazepam
Suppression of seizure activity
Selective because they do not
cause severe sedation
26. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
4. Anticonvulsant actions
• Diazepam, lorazepam and phenobarbital
Given IV
Used in status epilepticus
Heavy sedation is needed
28. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
6. Medullary depression
• High doses can lead to
Respiratory arrest
Hypotension
CVS collapse
Death in suicidal overdose
29. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
7. Tolerance and dependence
• Tolerance
Decrease in responsiveness
Used chronically or in high dosage
30. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
7. Tolerance and dependence
• Tolerance
Metabolic tolerance
Occurs with phenobarbital
Induces its own metabolism
Decreases CNS response to the
drug itself
31. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
7. Tolerance and dependence
• Dependence
Physiologic
State of response to a drug
Removal of the drug evokes
unpleasant symptoms
Opposite of the drug’s effects
32. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
7. Tolerance and dependence
• Dependence
Physiologic
Leads to abstinence syndrome
(withdrawal state) when the drug
is discontinued
34. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
7. Tolerance and dependence
• Dependence
Physiologic
Occur more commonly with short-
acting drugs
Pentobarbital and secobarbital
Dependence is unlikely to occur
with buspirone
35. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
ORGAN SYSTEM EFFECTS
7. Tolerance and dependence
• Dependence
Psychological
State of response to a drug
Drug taker feels compelled to use
the drug
Suffers anxiety when separated
from the drug
36. SEDATIVE-HYPNOTIC DRUGS
CLINICAL USES
1. Anxiety states
• Benzodiazepines with intermediate or
long durations of action are favored
• Buspirone
Used for generalized anxiety disorders
• Alprazolam
Phobic and panic attacks