CNS Introduction, and Sedative-Hypnotic and Anxiolytic Drugs 63
TABLE 7-1. Therapeutic Summary of Selected Sedative-Hypnotic drugs
DRUGS CLINICAL APPLICATIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATIONS
Mechanism: Allosteric agonist of GABAA receptors that increase the frequency of chloride channel opening
Short-acting benzodiazepines Triazolam Midazolam
Intermediate-acting benzodiazepines Alprazolam Estazolam Lorazepam Oxazepam Temazepam
Long-acting benzodiazipines
Chlordiazepoxide Clorazepate
Diazepam Flurazepam Prazepam Quazepam
Hypnotic (triazolam and many others)
Amnesia induction and anesthesia (midazolam) Absence seizures (clorazepate)
Insomn
especially alprazolam) Alcohol withdrawal (diazepam, chlordiazepoxide) Status epilepticus (diazepam, lorazepam) Muscle relax
Respiratory depression Drowsiness
Physical and psychological
dependence Blurred vision
Hypersensitivity
Children <6 months of age
(oral) Pregnancy
Mechanism: Enhance GABAA receptors by increasing duration of chloride channel open time
Ultrashort-acting barbiturates Thiopental Methohexital
Induction and maintenance of anesthesia
Treatment of elevated intracranial pressure (thiopental)
Respiratory depression Cardiac depression
CNS depression Hematologic depression
Porphyria Respiratory disease Liver disease
Intermediate-acting barbiturates Secobarbital Pentobarbital
Preanesthetic agent Same as above Same as above Short-term treatment of insomnia
Treatment of elevated intracranial pressure
(pentobarbital)
Long-acting barbiturates Management of generalized tonic-clonic (grand mal) Same as above Same as above Phenobarbital and p
Sedative
Mechanism: BZ1 benzodiazepine agonists
Zolpidem Insomnia Drowsiness Hypersensitivity Zaleplon Drugged feeling
Eszopiclone
Mechanism: Central H1 receptor blocker
Diphenhydramine OTC sleeping aid See chapter 20 See chapter 20 Other antihistamines
Mechanism: Selective agonist of melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2)
Ramelteon Insomnia Drowsiness Hypersensitivity Concurrent use with
fluvoxamine
Mechanism: Partial agonist at 5-HT1A serotonin receptors in the brain
Buspirone Management of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Dizziness Hypersensitivity
Mechanism: Benzodiazepine antagonist
Flumazenil Reverse benzodiazepine effects in conscious sedation and general anesthesia
Treatment of benzodiazepine overdose
GI distress CNS agitation Seizures
Serious tricyclic- antidepressant overdoses
Seizure disorders
CNS, central nervous system; GABA, g-aminobutyric acid; GI, gastrointestinal; OTC, over the counter