Block 13 Pharm Hypnotic Drugs

Benzodiazepines have many different effects on the CNS, including sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects. However, they are devoid of antipsychotic effects. This means that benzodiazepines do not have the ability to treat or alleviate symptoms of psychosis or psychotic disorders.

Thiopental is commonly used as an anesthetic induction agent, meaning it is used to induce anesthesia and put a patient to sleep before a surgical procedure. It has a rapid onset of action and a short duration of effect, making it suitable for this purpose. The other options listed do not match the correct therapeutic use of barbiturates. Pentobarbital is used as a hypnotic for an elderly person or for the treatment of chronic anxiety, while phenobarbital is used as an anticonvulsant for petit mal seizures. Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine, not a barbiturate, and is used to treat anxiety disorders, not withdrawal symptoms.

Benzodiazepines have little effect on respiratory or cardiovascular functions when given at therapeutic doses in an otherwise healthy patient. This means that when prescribed in appropriate doses to a patient who is otherwise healthy, benzodiazepines do not significantly impact their respiratory or cardiovascular functions. This suggests that benzodiazepines can be safely used in patients without causing adverse effects on these vital functions.

Long-acting benzodiazepines can cause day time sedation and drowsiness as a common problem. These medications have a long duration of action, meaning they stay in the body for a longer period of time. This can result in excessive sedation and drowsiness during the day, making it difficult for individuals to stay awake and alert. This side effect can interfere with daily activities and productivity. It is important for individuals taking long-acting benzodiazepines to be aware of this potential problem and to discuss any concerns with their healthcare provider.

Oxazepam is the correct answer because it is an active metabolite of many different benzodiazepines, including diazepam, desmethyldiazepam, and temazepam. When these benzodiazepines are metabolized in the body, they are converted into oxazepam, which has its own pharmacological effects. This makes oxazepam an important compound in the metabolism and elimination of benzodiazepines from the body.

Barbiturates are known to have several pharmacological actions, and one of them is a dose-related decrease in cardiac output. This means that as the dose of barbiturates increases, the cardiac output decreases. Cardiac output refers to the amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute, and a decrease in cardiac output can lead to reduced blood flow to vital organs. This effect of barbiturates on cardiac output is important to consider, especially when using these drugs in patients with cardiovascular conditions.

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are commonly used to treat muscle spasms. Upper motor neuron disease is a condition that affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle spasticity and spasms. Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps to reduce the activity of the nerves and relax the muscles. Therefore, using benzodiazepines to treat muscle spasms due to upper motor neuron disease is a recognized therapeutic indication.

The correct answer is that in general, the half-lives of benzodiazepines correlate poorly with the duration of their major CNS effects. This means that the length of time that the drug remains in the body does not necessarily determine how long its effects will last in the central nervous system. This is important to consider when prescribing benzodiazepines, as the duration of their effects may vary depending on individual factors such as metabolism and tolerance.

Buspirone is the correct answer because it is not classified as a sedative or a hypnotic drug like the other options. It is primarily used as an anxiolytic and does not have the same effect on the central nervous system as the other drugs listed. Therefore, it is least likely to alleviate withdrawal symptoms in an alcoholic patient.

The onset and duration of action of a barbiturate like thiopental is influenced by factors such as lipid solubility, cerebral blood flow, amount of body fat, and extent of tissue binding. However, the plasma half-life of the drug is not directly related to the onset and duration of action. The plasma half-life refers to the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the plasma, but it does not necessarily determine how quickly the drug takes effect or how long its effects last.