Central nervous system depressants barbiturates

Substance-Induced Anxiety Disorder. Numerous medicines and drugs of abuse can produce panic attacks. Panic attacks can be triggered by central nervous system stimulants such as cocaine, methamphetamine, caffeine, over-the-counter herbal stimulants such as ephedra, or any of the medications commonly used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD, including psychostimulants and modafinil. Thyroid supplementation with thyroxine (Synthroid) or triiodothyronine (Cytomel) can rarely produce panic attacks. Abrupt withdrawal from central nervous system depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines can cause panic attacks as well. This can be especially problematic with short-acting benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax), which is an effective treatment for panic disorder but which has been associated with between dose withdrawal symptoms. 

A significant advantage of the benzodiazepines over other central nervous system depressants (e.g., the barbiturates) is that they possess a much greater separation between the dose that produces sleep and the dose that produces death. This increased margin of safety has been one of the major reasons benzodiazepines have largely replaced the barbiturates and other types of sedative-hypnotics in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. In addition, benzodiazepine aclministration is associated with few side effects. 

Barbiturate—An acid derivative that acts as a central nervous system depressant and is used as a sedative. 

The most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids and opiates such as oxycodone and morphine, central nervous system depressants such as barbiturates and benzodiazepines, and stimulants such as dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate. Brand-name painkillers such as Vicodin and OxyContin, depressants such as Valium and Xanax, and stimulants such as Ritalin and Dexedrine are commonly abused (as are some OTC cough remedies). Although helpful and safe when used appropriately, these drugs can cause serious harm when taken in unapproved ways. 

The following three reactions involve the central nervous system depressants known as barbiturates. O... 

Central nervous system depressants Sedatives (e.g., barbiturates)... 

Barbiturates produce forms of central nervous system depression. Reactions to these drags range from mild sedation (producing sleep) to a coma. Doctors may prescribe barbiturates as sedatives to calm patients nerves, reduce tension or help them sleep. The drugs are also used as an anticonvulsant to control epileptic seizures. 

BARBITURATES Highly habit-forming (addictive) sedative drugs based on barbituric acid. Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants. 

Most of the sedative-hypnotics are capable of inhibiting the development and spread of epileptiform activity in the central nervous system. Some selectivity exists in that some members of the group can exert anticonvulsant effects without marked central nervous system depression (although psychomotor function may be impaired). Several benzodiazepines—including clonazepam, nitrazepam, lorazepam, and diazepam—are sufficiently selective to be clinically useful in the management of seizure states (see Chapter 24 Antiseizure Drugs). Of the barbiturates, phenobarbital and metharbital (converted to phenobarbital in the body) are effective in the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingestion, subcutaneous, intravenous, and intraperitoneal routes. Human systemic effects by ingestion pulmonary consolidation. Used as a central nervous system depressant, hypnotic, and sedative. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. See also BARBITURATES. 

Central nervous system depressants include the barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, and the antianxiety drugs, including diazepam (VaUum), chlordiazepoxide Odbrium), oxazepam (Serax), flurazepam hydrochloride (Dalmane), and lorazepam (Ativan). The benzodiazepines, including diazepam, occasionally cause mydriasis, presumably because of their anticholinergic side effects. 

Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants used as hypnotic drugs and anesthetics. They are all derivatives of barbituric acid (R=R =H), which has no sedative properties. It is called an acid because the carbonyl groups render the imide hydrogens acidic ... 

Acute intoxication resembles barbiturate toxicity. Clinical effects include dose-related central nervous system depression, nystagmus, ataxia, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, vertigo, and irritability. 

Avoid taking barbiturates, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, central nervous system depressants, and OTC cold medications with MAOIs. 

Central nervous system depressants (e.g., barbiturates, narcotics, benzodiazepines, short-term use of large doses of alcohol)... 

Central nervous system depressants Hypnotics and sedatives Barbiturates in pharmaceutical preparations Ion-exchange Zipax SAX Alkaline (0.01M sodium borate/ 0.03M sodium nitrate) or acid (0.01M acid) mobile phases... 

Although workers are often exposed to a variety of solvents with Stoddard solvent, there are no available studies specifically characterizing the interactions of Stoddard solvent with other chemicals. Since Stoddard solvent may have adverse effects on the nervous system, it may compound the effects of other chemicals that cause central nervous system depression, such as alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, or medical anesthetics. Guinea pigs with a diet high in vitamin C survived a high exposure to Stoddard solvent vapors better than those with a diet low in vitamin C (Jenkins et al. 1971) however, it is not known how vitamin C levels might affect humans exposed to Stoddard solvent. 

These drugs decrease pain, increase range of motion and have a sedative effect on the patient. Centrally acting muscle relaxants should not be taken concurrently with central nervous system depressants such as barbiturates, narcotics, and alcohol. 

A. Haloperidol and droperidol potentiate central nervous system-depressant effects of opioids, antidepressants, phenothiazines, ethanol, barbiturates, and other sedatives. 

Concurrent use of butorphanol with central nervous system depressants (e.g. alcohol, barbiturates, tranquilizers, and antihistamines) may result in increased central nervous system depressant effects. When used concurrently with such drugs, the dose of butorphanol should be the smallest effective dose and the frequency of dosing reduced as much as possible when administered concomitantly with drugs that potentiate the action of opioids. 

All barbiturates have essentially die same mode of action. Depending on the dose given, tiiese drags are capable of producing central nervous system (CNS) depression and mood alteration ranging from mild excitation to mild sedation, hypnosis (sleep), and deep coma These drugs also are respiratory depressants the degree of depression... 

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