What are Benzodiazepines widely used for?
to treat anxiety/ limbic system
Where do Benzodiazepines bind to?
Benzodiazepine receptors
What is the mechanism of action of Benzodiazepines?
- increase activity of GABA
- increase frequency of chloride ions (Cl-)
What effects do benzodiazepines also produce outside of their main effect?
- decreases muscle tone/relaxation (in spinal cord)
- sedative effect (reticular activating system / RAS)
- hypnotic effect (RAS)
- anticonvulsant effect
What do want to be cautious about when taking benzodiazepines?
- alcohol
- barbiturates
due to the combination with benzodiazepines leading to a larger CNS depressant effect
Name the benzodiazepines used commonly for anxiety?
- alprazolam (Xanax)
- chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- diazepam (Valium)
Name the benzodiazepines used commonly for seizures?
- clonazepam (Rivotril)
- diazepam (Valium)
Name the benzodiazepines used commonly for insomnia?
- temazepam (Restoril)
- flurazepam (Dalmane)
Name the benzodiazepines used commonly for anesthesia?
- midazolam (Versed)
Which Benzodiazepine is used by ACPs as an anticonvulsant?
- midazolam (Versed)
Where do Barbiturates bind?
to GABA-A receptors at the alpha or beta subunits
What is the mechanism of action of barbiturates?
- increase the chloride (Cl-) ion channel opening duration
What can barbiturates do at higher doses?
- mimic GABA & directly activate GABA receptors
- decrease the activity of excitatory neuron transmitters such as ACH & glutamate
What do barbiturates do in the RAS?
- promote sedation, sleep, & inhibit activity (slow down)
- at higher doses, cause a general depression of the entire CNS
What can be said about the therapeutic and toxic dose range for barbiturates?
the range is narrow and is very easy to jump from therapeutic to toxic doses
- mild overdose resembles alcohol intoxication
- overdose can cause life threatening cardiovascular & CNS depression
What effects can barbiturates produce aside from their main effects?
anti-convulsant/anti-seizure effects (can prevent/reduce severity)