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Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
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CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone01:29

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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

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Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A key...
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...

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Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
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Benzodiazepines: uses and abuses.

B F Hoffman, G Shugar

    Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
    |February 3, 2011
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Benzodiazepines effectively manage acute anxiety and related conditions, but carry risks like dependence. Use of these drugs, especially in elderly patients, requires caution and short-term prescriptions.

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    Area of Science:

    • Pharmacology
    • Psychiatry
    • Neurology

    Background:

    • Anxiety disorders are prevalent, necessitating effective treatment options.
    • While non-pharmacological methods are preferred, benzodiazepines are often indicated for anxiety.
    • These drugs have demonstrated efficacy in various acute conditions.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the efficacy and safety of benzodiazepines.
    • To outline appropriate clinical indications for benzodiazepine use.
    • To highlight potential risks and provide guidance for cautious prescription.

    Main Methods:

    • Review of double-blind studies comparing benzodiazepines to placebo.
    • Analysis of clinical data on benzodiazepine use in diverse conditions.
    • Evaluation of side effect profiles, tolerance, and dependence potential.

    Main Results:

    • Benzodiazepines are superior to placebo for acute anxiety and psychosomatic autonomic over-activity.
    • Effective in muscle spasms, pain, status epilepticus, drug withdrawal, sleep disorders, and akathisia.
    • Significant side effects include tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal syndromes.

    Conclusions:

    • Benzodiazepines are valuable for acute anxiety and specific conditions but require cautious use.
    • Evidence does not support their use in chronic anxiety.
    • Short-acting benzodiazepines and limited durations are safer, particularly for vulnerable populations.