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Related Concept Videos

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

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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...
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Management of Insomnia01:19

Management of Insomnia

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The sleep cycle, an integral part of human health, consists of several stages with distinct characteristics and functions. It begins with a transition from wakefulness to sleep, known as the light sleep phase, followed by the restorative deep sleep phase, essential for physical recovery and growth. The cycle concludes with the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase, characterized by high brain activity and vivid dreaming. Insomnia, a prevalent sleep disorder, involves difficulty falling asleep, staying...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines01:19

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

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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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Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview01:23

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

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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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CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines01:14

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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...
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Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates01:20

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

432
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...
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Drugs Used in Parasomnia.

Paola Proserpio1, Michele Terzaghi2, Raffaele Manni2

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Parasomnias, particularly childhood arousal disorders, are usually mild and self-limiting, often not needing medication. Safe environments and identifying triggers are key, with medication considered for severe or frequent events.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Parasomnias, especially childhood arousal disorders, are frequently benign and transient.
  • Management often focuses on environmental safety to prevent sleep-related injuries.
  • Identifying and addressing precipitating factors like other sleep disorders or medications is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on pharmacologic treatments for various forms of parasomnia.
  • To provide guidance on when medication may be indicated for parasomnias.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of available evidence on pharmacologic treatments for parasomnias.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on nonrapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnias.

Main Results:

  • Non-pharmacologic strategies, including environmental safety, are primary management approaches.
  • Pharmacologic intervention is typically reserved for frequent, troublesome, or dangerous parasomnic events.
  • Evidence for specific pharmacologic treatments varies across different parasomnia types.

Conclusions:

  • While often benign, parasomnias require careful evaluation for contributing factors.
  • Environmental safety is paramount in managing parasomnias.
  • Pharmacologic treatment for parasomnias should be considered judiciously based on event severity and frequency.