Depression agents

There are similarities between the biological actions of inhalants and those of alcohol and barbiturates (Bowen et al. 1996b). For example, acute administration of inhalants affects motor coordination (Moser and Balster 1981) and induces anxiolysis, whereas chronic administration is associated with physical dependence and withdrawal (Bowen et al. 1996a Evans and Balster 1991, 1993). In addition, some inhalant drugs have anticonvulsant properties (Wood et al. 1984). Like other CNS-depressant agents, inhalants have biphasic effects on spontaneous locomotor activity in rodents, with increased activity seen at lower doses and diminished locomotion seen at higher doses (Cause et al. 1985 Kjellstrand et al. 1985). 

CNS effects Because of the rapid onset of action, eszopiclone should only be ingested immediately prior to going to bed or after the patient has gone to bed and has experienced difficulty falling asleep. Eszopiclone may produce additive CNS-depressant effects when coadministered with other psychotropic medications, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, ethanol, and other drugs that produce CNS depression. Eszopiclone should not be taken with alcohol. Dose adjustment may be necessary when eszopiclone is administered with other CNS-depressant agents because of the potentially additive effects. 

Valproic acid causes hair loss in about 5% of patients, but this effect is reversible. Transient gastrointestinal effects are common, and some mild behavioral effects have been reported. Metabolic effects, including hyperglycemia, hyperglycinuria, and hyperammonemia, have been reported. An increase in body weight also has been noted. Valproic acid is not a CNS depressant, but its administration may lead to increased depression if it is used in combination with phenobarbital, primidone, benzodiazepines, or other CNS depressant agents. 

Both zolpidem and zaleplon appear to be nonfatal in overdose. However, overdoses in combination with other central nervous system (CNS) depressant agents pose a greater risk. Recommended treatment consists of general symptomatic and supportive measures, including gastric lavage. Use of flumazenil may be helpful. 

Mavissakalian M, Michelson L. Tricyclic antidepressants in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Anti-obsessional or anti-depressant agents. J Nerv Ment Dis 1983 171 301-306. 

Benzothiophenes, (in), prepared by Yamasaki (2) and thiazole-benzoisothiazole dioxide derivatives, (IV), prepared by Petry (3) were effective as cGMP-PDE inhibitors and used as blood sugar level-depressing agents in the treatment of insulin resistance syndrome associated with Type II diabetes. 

Although the opioid analgesics can produce mood elevation (euphoria) in some patients and sedation in others, the more common side effect is CNS depression manifested as drowsiness.A strategy to reduce sedation or drowsiness is to decrease the analgesic dose and shorten the interval between doses. Clinicians should note that the sedative effect of opioid analgesics is additive with the sedative effects of hypnotics such as alcohol and barbiturates. These depressive agents must be avoided when opioids are prescribed. 

The second fact which suggests that the respiratory center is not depressed is the consideration that, if a dose of morphine is given and a marked depression of respiratory minute volume is obtained, further doses of morphine lead to a respiratory stimulation. It is difficult to imagine how the capabilities of a cell can be depressed almost to zero, and then be resuscitated by still more of the depressing agent. Further, the administration of morphine leads to increased respiratory minute volume in the midbrain rabbit, that is, in a rabbit whose cerebral lobes and thalamus have been removed but whose medulla and respiratory center in the medulla are still reasonably intact (1). 

The drug class of benzodiazepines includes many compounds that vary widely in po-tenoy, duration of effect, presence or absence of active metabolites, and clinical use (Table 11-14). Two nonbenzodiazepines, zolpidem and zaleplon, have similar effects and are included here. In general, death from benzodiazepine overdose is rare, unless the drugs are combined with other CNS-depressant agents such as ethanol or barbiturates. Newer potent, short-acting agents have been considered the sole cause of death in recent forensic cases. 

Westfall, B.A., R.L. Russell, and T.K. Auyong. 1961. Depressant agent from walnut huUs. Science 134 1617. 

Since the primary purpose of this review is to study the opiates and their immediate derivatives, it is not proposed to examine in detail the interactions of the weak, peripherally-acting analgesics with neuronal transmitters readers interested in this group of drugs per se may consult reviews by Randall [4] and De Stevens [5]. However, this is not to totally dismiss as unimportant the role of central neuronal transmitters in the formulation and perception of some forms of chronic inflammatory or somatic pain a number of recent reports have demonstrated the value of certain tricyclic anti-depressant agents in alleviating this type of pain in man [6,7]. 

Control means other than ventilation. Tank covers, foams, beads, chips, or other materials floating on the tank surface so as to confine gases, mists, or vapors to the area under the cover or to the foam, bead, or chip layer or surface tension depressive agents added to the liquid in the tank to minimize mist formation, or any combination thereof, may all be used as gas, mist, or vapor control means for open-surface tank operations, provided that they effectively reduce the concentrations of hazardous materials in the vicinity of the worker below the limits set in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. 

Westfall B A, Russell R L, Auyoung T K 1961 Depressant agent from walnut hulls. Science 134 1617-1618... 

In the flotation process, cyanide is used to treat the surface of mineral particles for processing in flotation machines. In general, the cyanide solution is used as a depressing agent for pyrite and sphalerite and occasionally for copper sulfides. The cyanide portion of the process constitutes only a small part of the total. Toxic cyanide concentrations can exist from the point of preparation of the solution to its addition into the actual milling process. Once in the milling process, cyanide is reacted... 

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