Overview of Sedatives and Drug Classes
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary distinction between sedatives and hypnotics?

  • Sedatives reduce anxiety, while hypnotics promote sleep. (correct)
  • Sedatives have no effect on sleep, while hypnotics are anxiolytic.
  • Sedatives promote sleep, while hypnotics reduce anxiety.
  • Sedatives induce drowsiness, while hypnotics calm the mind.

Which drug is categorized as a non-sedating anxiolytic?

  • Alprazolam
  • Zolpidem
  • Buspirone (correct)
  • Pentobarbital

Which class of drugs is commonly used for treating panic disorders?

  • Non-sedating anxiolytics
  • Barbiturates
  • Antihistamines
  • Benzodiazepines (correct)

What is a common characteristic of panic disorder episodes?

<p>Acute episodes of severe anxiety with marked symptoms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is a common benzodiazepine prescribed for anxiety?

<p>Clonazepam (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What effect does sedation at regular doses of sedative-hypnotics have?

<p>Calms and reduces anxiety. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following disorders is classified under anxiety disorders?

<p>Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do barbiturates function compared to sedatives?

<p>They can cause hypnosis at higher doses. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common physical symptom is associated with panic disorder?

<p>Tachycardia. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following treatments is appropriate for panic disorders?

<p>Antidepressants (SSRIs). (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism of action for benzodiazepines?

<p>Facilitating the activity of GABA at various sites (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which class of medications is most commonly used in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)?

<p>SSRIs (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a key characteristic of generalized anxiety disorder?

<p>Chronic worry about future events (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do newer agents for treating insomnia differ from traditional hypnotics?

<p>They do not significantly alter sleep architecture (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of long-term use of benzodiazepines?

<p>Physical dependence (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is NOT typically associated with hypersomnia?

<p>Frequent sleep attacks (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the REM stage of sleep from other stages?

<p>It exhibits an EEG pattern similar to that of an awake state (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which medication can provide a non-sedating alternative to benzodiazepines for anxiety treatment?

<p>Buspirone (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory impairment can occur with benzodiazepine use?

<p>Anterograde amnesia (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications is used in cases where benzodiazepines are ineffective during sedation?

<p>Barbiturates (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary use of alprazolam (Xanax)?

<p>Management of anxiety (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which benzodiazepine is specifically noted for its suitability in elderly patients?

<p>Lorazepam (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant adverse effect associated with flumazenil?

<p>Seizures (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about barbiturates is true?

<p>They directly increase chloride influx in the absence of GABA. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which benzodiazepine is commonly administered intravenously as an anesthetic?

<p>Midazolam (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the mechanism of action of barbiturates?

<p>Increase the duration of GABA receptor channel opening (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which benzodiazepine is specifically indicated for treating panic disorder?

<p>Clonazepam (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the action of flumazenil?

<p>Antagonist at benzodiazepine receptors (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is true about phenobarbital among barbiturates?

<p>It is slowly absorbed with a longer duration of action. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How should benzodiazepine doses be adjusted to prevent seizures during withdrawal?

<p>Taper doses gradually (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary therapeutic use for amobarbital?

<p>Sleep induction (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotic is known for a rapid onset and fewer adverse effects?

<p>Zaleplon (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does buspirone primarily act as?

<p>Partial agonist at serotonin receptors (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which sedative hypnotic option has been associated with a risk of less tolerance and dependence?

<p>Zolpidem (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Hydroxyzine is primarily used to treat which condition?

<p>Mild anxiety (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an effect of melatonin in individuals traveling across several time zones?

<p>Accelerates resetting of the biological clock (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors is true about long-term use of antihistamines?

<p>Can develop tolerance (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes non-benzodiazepine sedative hypnotics from older benzodiazepines?

<p>They only induce sleep without affecting REM. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of thiopental?

<p>Administered intravenously for rapid effect (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What differentiates Doxepin from other antihistamines in the context of sleep aid?

<p>Approved for treating insomnia specifically (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Sedatives

  • Sedative-hypnotic drugs include two main categories: sedatives (calm and reduce anxiety) and hypnotics (induce drowsiness and promote sleep).
  • Regular doses cause sedation; higher doses can lead to hypnosis.
  • Some agents, like buspirone (BuSpar), primarily have anxiolytic effects without sedation.

Drug Classes

  • Benzodiazepines: e.g., alprazolam (Xanax).
  • Barbiturates: e.g., pentobarbital (Nembutal).
  • Antihistamines: e.g., diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
  • Miscellaneous sedative-hypnotics: e.g., zolpidem (Ambien).
  • Non-sedating anxiolytics: e.g., buspirone (BuSpar).

Classification of Anxiety Disorders

  • Acute anxiety.
  • Panic disorder: characterized by acute episodes with psychological and physiological symptoms, often responsive to benzodiazepines or SSRIs.
  • Phobic disorders.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): involves obsessions and compulsions treated with antidepressants and psychotherapy.
  • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): chronic worry, managed with benzodiazepines short-term, SSRIs, and SNRIs.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Panic Disorders

  • Manifest severe anxiety with symptoms like sweating and tachycardia, treated commonly with alprazolam (Xanax) and fluoxetine (Prozac).
  • Sense of impending doom is frequently reported.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

  • Involves chronic worrying and fluctuating severity over time.
  • Benzodiazepines serve for short-term management; buspirone offers a non-sedating alternative.

Sleep Disorders

  • Sleep is comprised of distinct stages, including REM (rapid eye movement) and slow-wave sleep.
  • Sleep latency refers to the time taken to fall asleep; decreased by benzodiazepines and sedative-hypnotics.
  • Drugs like zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone are preferred for insomnia due to less impact on sleep architecture.

Other Sleep Disorders

  • Hypersomnia, narcolepsy, enuresis (bedwetting), somnambulism (sleepwalking), nightmares/terrors.

Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs

  • Benzodiazepines are generally safer than barbiturates regarding overdose risks, with fewer adverse reactions.
  • Sedating antihistamines are less likely to be abused and are effective for mild insomnia and anxiety.

Benzodiazepines

  • Examples include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), and midazolam (Versed).
  • They enhance GABA activity in the brain, facilitating sleep and reducing anxiety.
  • They can cause anterograde amnesia, affecting short-term memory formation without recalling past events.
  • Long-term use may lead to physical dependence, with withdrawal symptoms typically being mild but potentially severe when abruptly discontinued.

Flumazenil (Romazicon)

  • Acts as a competitive antagonist at benzodiazepine receptors, reversing sedative effects.
  • Can cause seizures and other adverse effects; administered intravenously.

Specific Benzodiazepine Uses

  • Alprazolam: mainly for anxiety and panic disorders.
  • Lorazepam: IV use for seizures and anxiety in elderly patients; effective for outpatient procedures.
  • Clonazepam: treats anxiety and seizures, has no active metabolites.
  • Midazolam: used as an anesthetic in medical procedures.

Barbiturates

  • Lipid solubility affects onset and duration; highly lipid-soluble drugs act swiftly.
  • Bind to GABA receptors, increasing chloride influx; have a lower therapeutic index than benzodiazepines.
  • Used for insomnia and seizures, thiopental is an anesthetic.

Antihistamines

  • Cause some sedation; not associated with significant dependence.
  • Common examples include diphenhydramine and hydroxyzine.

Non-Benzodiazepine Sedative Hypnotics

  • Include zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone, noted for fewer side effects.
  • Melatonin is an OTC option that helps regulate biological clocks and is beneficial for insomnia.

Non-Sedating Anxiolytics

  • Buspirone (BuSpar) works as a partial agonist at serotonin receptors, offering effects without sedation and minimal dependence risks; onset of action may take weeks.

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Sedatives - Pharm Exam 2

Description

This quiz focuses on sedative-hypnotic drugs and their effects, including anxiety reduction and drowsiness induction. It covers various drug classes such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates, providing a clear understanding of their roles in sedation and hypnosis. Test your knowledge on the different agents and their specific uses.

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