Barbiturates convulsive

BARBITURATES. The barbiturate phenobarbital (Luminal) is commonly used to treat convulsive disorders. When administering the barbiturates by the intravenous (IV) route, it is important not to exceed a rate of 60 mg/min and to administer the drug within 30 minutes of preparation. The nurse monitors the patient carefully during administration of a barbiturate. The blood pressure and respirations are taken frequently. Resuscitation equipment and artificial ventilation equipment are kept nearby. 

Kamiya Y, Andoh T, Furuya R, et al Comparison of the effects of convulsant and depressant barbiturate stereoisomers on AMPA-type glutamate receptors. Anesthesiology 90 1704-1713, 1999... 

PCP, like barbiturates, also has anticonvulsant effects in various animal models (Chen et al. 1959 Geller et al. 1981 Hayes and Balster 1985). Certain convulsants, such as strychnine, are not antagonized, and PCP has some specificity for tonic rather than clonic convulsions. 

In rabbits under light amytal anesthesia, chlordan has no direcr effect on the blood pressure, but produces a type of respiration having many characteristics in common with Cheyne-Stokes type. The generalized tremors, opisthotonus, tonic and clonic convulsions, produced by chlordan were decreased or abolished and respiration restored to normal by suitable injections of the sodium salts of amytal, phenobarbital, and pentothal. The LD60 of chlordan, which was about 20 mg. per kg. on intravenous administration to intact rabbits, was increased to about 60 mg. per kg. through the antidotal action of the barbiturates. An unidentified chlorine-containing degradation product with acidic properties was recovered from the urine of rabbits treated with chlordan. Approximately one third of its chlorine content was set free on hydrolysis at 100° C. with sodium hydroxide in either absolute alcohol or in water. 

The barbiturates are effective against convulsions induced experimentally from all central locations, the cerebrum, medulla, or spinal cord. They may be used clinically as well as experimentally to suppress most, if not all, varieties of convulsions of central origin (3). Since they are effective in the prevention of the tremors, tonic and clonic convulsions, and in the restoration of normal respiration from the Cheyne-Stokes type, produced by chlordan, it appears that these symptoms may have their origin in the central nervous system. 

Convulsive disorders are still a serious therapeutic problem and new agents are being actively sought. Classical therapy was based upon the barbiturates that are no longer in favor because of their many side effects and their suicide potential. Interestingly, a seemingly minor structural variation of phenobarbital (152, shown as its sodium salt) leads to an anticonvulsant of increased potency and which has less hypnotic activity. In this case, sodium phenobarbital serves as its own base (so the yield is limited to 50%) and reacts readily with... 

Several new thenal and thenylbarbituric acids were synthesized in the authors laboratory. The 5-ethyl-5-(2-thenyJ)barbituric acid and the thioanalog (5-ethyl-5-(2-thenyl)-2-thiobarbituric) acid showed some activity as hypnotics. However, hyperexcitability and convulsions accompanied the hypnotic effect (62). 

In humans, early symptoms of intoxication may include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, malaise, and myoclonic jerks of the limbs clonic and tonic convulsions and sometimes coma follow and may occur without the premonitory symptoms. A suicidal person who ingested 25.6mg/kg developed convulsions within 20 minutes that persisted recurrently until large amounts of barbiturates had been administered. Hematuria and azotemia occurred the day after ingestion and continued for 18 days. Liver function studies were within normal limits except for an elevated icterus index an electroencephalogram revealed generalized cerebral dysrhythmia, which returned to normal after 5 months. ... 

Various drugs including barbiturates and benzodiazepines, which are used for relieving the severe, convulsive conditions that originate as a result of conditions other than epilepsy, are used in treating epilepsy. It is believed that various mechanisms may be operating within the genesis of epilepsy, and it is possible to influence these mechanisms medicinally. 

Most convulsions associated with flumazenil administration require treatment and have been successfully managed with benzodiazepines, phenytoin, or barbiturates. 

Rectal administration Rectally administered barbiturates are absorbed from the colon and are used occasionally in infants for prolonged convulsive states, or when oral or parenteral administration may be undesirable. 

Cydobenzaprine (Flexeril) [Skeletal Muscle Relaxant/ANS A nt] Uses Relief of muscle spasm Action Centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant reduces tonic somatic motor activity Dose 5-10 mg PO bid-qid (2-3 wk max) Caution [B, ] Shares the toxic potential of theTCAs urinary hesitancy, NAG Contra Do not use concomitantly or w/in 14 d of MAOIs hyperthyroidism heart failure arrhythmias Disp Tabs SE Sedation anticholinergic effects Interactions t Effects of CNS d ression W/ CNS dqjressants, TCAs, barbiturates, EtOH t risk of HTN convulsions W/MAOIs EMS Use caution w/ other CNS depressants concurrent EtOH use can t CNS d ession OD May cause N/V,... 

Pentobarbital (Nembutal, Others) [C-ll] [Anticonvulsant, Sedative/ Hypnotic/Barbiturate] Uses Insomnia, convulsions, induce coma following severe head injury Action Barbiturate Dose Adults. Sedative ... 

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