Sedative: Difference between revisions

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imported>Robert Badgett
imported>Robert Badgett
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Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.<ref name="isbn0-07-145153-6">{{cite book |author=Katzung, Bertram G. |title=Basic and clinical pharmacology |publisher=McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division |location=New York |year=2006 |pages= |isbn=0-07-145153-6 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Drugs that increase the effect of GABA are called GABAergic.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.<ref name="isbn0-07-145153-6">{{cite book |author=Katzung, Bertram G. |title=Basic and clinical pharmacology |publisher=McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division |location=New York |year=2006 |pages= |isbn=0-07-145153-6 |oclc= |doi=}}</ref> Drugs that increase the effect of GABA are called GABAergic.


Many sedatives work by bindings to the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor in the nervous system.
Many sedatives work by increasing receptiveness  of GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors.


====Barbituates====
====Barbituates====

Revision as of 14:34, 21 December 2007

Classification

Below are examples of available sedative drugs.

Alcohols

Ethylene glycols

  • Chloral hydrate

Anti-adrenergics

Inhibitors of the adrenergic alpha-2 receptor can cause sedation.

  • Dexmedetomidine. In some settings, dexmedetomidine may cause less adverse drug reactions than non-selective benzodiazepams.[1]

Anti-histamines

  • Diphenhydramine

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.[2] Drugs that increase the effect of GABA are called GABAergic.

Many sedatives work by increasing receptiveness of GABAA receptors.

Barbituates

Barbituates are GABAergic by increasing receptiveness of the GABAA receptors. Barbituates do this by increasing the duration of openings of channels in the cell membrane.[2]

  • Phenobarbital

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are also GABAergic by increasing receptiveness of the GABAA receptors. However, benzodiazepines do this by increasing the frequency of openings of channels in the cell membrane.[2]

Benzodiazepines receptors are BZ1 and BZ2.

Non-selective agonists
  • Diazepam (Valium)
BZ1 selective agonists
  • Zaleplon
  • Zolpidem

Serotonin (5-HT) agonists

Agonists of the 5-HT1A receptor can cause sedation.

  • Buspirone

References

  1. Pandharipande PP, Pun BT, Herr DL, et al (2007). "Effect of sedation with dexmedetomidine vs lorazepam on acute brain dysfunction in mechanically ventilated patients: the MENDS randomized controlled trial". JAMA 298 (22): 2644–53. DOI:10.1001/jama.298.22.2644. PMID 18073360. Research Blogging.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Katzung, Bertram G. (2006). Basic and clinical pharmacology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division. ISBN 0-07-145153-6.