SEDATIVES/HYPNOTICS BY KIMBERLY ROEMER

HISTORY OF SEDATIVES Sedatives have been around since the 1800’s. Potassium Bromide was used in 1830 as a sedative for anxiety. No longer used on humans, but used on animals to treat epilepsy.

In the early 1900s, bromides were replaced by barbiturates, but they proved to be addictive and unsafe. In the 50s, benzodiazepines were used as a replacement for bromides, for short-term use. The amnesia effect was first studied in 1965, which showed that patients given 20mg of Diazepam before surgery had no recollection of events taking place prior to surgery. Patients given 100mg of Pentobarbitol before surgery did not have the same effects. They remembered pre-surgery happenings.

In 2008, Heath Ledger died from a Drug overdose. Toxicology reported He had oxycodone, hydrocodone, Diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam, and doxylamine. When taken separately, these medications are safe, yet mixed together, can be deadly.

Effects of Depressants Antihistamines- There are many antihistamines that are OTC, including allergy medications and sleep aids. They cause CNS depression. Sedatives- Cause relaxation and depress the CNS along with muscle relaxation to enhance their effect. Hypnotics- CNS depressants are used to induce drowsiness and sleep.

Cont. Anesthesia- Used for sedating a patient going into surgery. This is a deep depression of the CNS. Renders patient unconscious. Amnesiacs- Causes memory loss.

Types of CNS Depressants Benzodiazepines- Most frequently prescribed depressant for anxiety, sleep, muscle relaxation, alleviation of lower back pain, relief from withdrawal symptoms from alcohol and narcotics, and induction of amnesia for pre-op. Alprazolam (Xanax), Chlordiazeproxide, clonazepam, diazepam, estazolam, lorazepam, midlazolam, oxazepam, quazepam, temazepam, triazolam, zolpidem are CNS depressants.

Benzodiazepines are very popular in the US and therefor are very profitable for drug companies. There are short acting, which are used to treat insomnia and long acting, which are used more for anxiety and relaxation. These drugs act on the receptor sites linked to the GABA receptor.

Side Effects of Benzodiazepines Continued use causes addiction and when one stops using benzodiazepines, there can be severe withdrawal symptoms. Use can impair learning and recollection of the user. Use can cause rashes, irritability, nausea, increased sensitivity to alcohol, reduced libido. Long term use as a sleep aid can cause severe insomnia and addiction. Benzodiazepines can also cause nightmares, more anxiety, severe sweating and irritability.

Side Effects-continued Tolerance can develop to the sleep-promoting effects of zolpidem under some conditions. Effects diminish over time, so the longer someone is on a sleep-aid, the higher the dose is needed for the same effects. Tolerance can begin with as little as four administrations.

REFERENCES King, D. J. (1992). Benzodiazepines, Amnesia and Sedation: Theoretical and Clinical Issues and Controversies. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical & Experimental, 7(2), ae4ae03f8a%40sessionmgr4001&vid=2&hid=4203 Cranwell-Bruce, L. A. (2007). Hypnotic Sedative Drugs. MEDSURG Nursing, 16(3), AN= &site=ehost-live&scope=site Stoops, W., & Rush, C. (2003). Differential Effects In Humans After Repeated Administrations Of Zolpidem And Triazolam#. American Journal Of Drug & Alcohol Abuse, 29(2), 281. doi: /ADA AN= &site=ehost-live&scope=site