Sedative-hypnotic drugs alcohol

Like other sedative-hypnotic drugs, alcohol is a CNS depressant. At high blood concentrations, it induces coma, respiratory depression, and death. 

Comparable findings for lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders were obtained in another study of 133 persons, which also found that 47% received a concurrent DSM-III diagnosis of substance abuse or dependence (Khantzian and Treece 1985). The most frequently abused substances were sedative-hypnotics (23%), alcohol (14%), and cannabis (13%). Similar rates of psychiatric disorders were found in other studies of drug abusers (Mirin et al. 1986 Woody et al. 1983). Although such diagnoses do not imply causality, and, in many cases, opioid dependence causes or exacerbates psychiatric problems, some causal link seems likely (Regier et al. 1990). 

CNS-depressant effects Zolpidem, like other sedative/hypnotic drugs, has CNS-depressant effects. Because of the rapid onset of action, only ingest immediately prior to going to bed. Zolpidem had additive effects when combined with alcohol therefore, do not take with alcohol. 

Buspirone is as effective as the benzodiazepines in the treatment of general anxiety. However, the full anxiolytic effect of buspirone takes several weeks to develop, whereas the anxiolytic effect of the benzodiazepines is maximal after a few days of therapy. In therapeutic doses, buspirone has little or no sedative effect and lacks the muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant properties of the benzodiazepines. In addition, buspirone does not potentiate the central nervous system depression caused by sedative-hypnotic drugs or by alcohol, and it does not prevent the symptoms associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal. 

Withdrawal from long-term high-dose use of alcohol or sedative-hypnotic drugs can be life threatening if physical dependence is present. Benzodiazepines, such as chlordiazepoxide Librium) and diazepam Valium), are sometimes used to lessen the intensity of the withdrawal symptoms when alcohol or sedative-hypnotic drug use is discontinued. Benzodiazepines are also employed to help relieve the anxiety and other behavioral symptoms that may occur during rehabilitation. 

In contrast, acute alcohol use can inhibit metabolism of other drugs because of decreased enzyme activity or decreased liver blood flow. Phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, and sedative-hypnotic drugs are the most important drugs that interact with alcohol by this pharmacokinetic mechanism. 

Nontolerant individuals who consume alcohol in large quantities develop typical effects of acute sedative-hypnotic drug overdose along with the cardiovascular effects previously described (vasodilation, tachycardia) and gastrointestinal irritation. Since tolerance is not absolute, even chronic alcoholics may become severely intoxicated if sufficient alcohol is consumed. 

An understanding of common mechanisms of death due to poisoning can help prepare the care-giver to treat patients effectively. Many toxins depress the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in obtundation or coma. Comatose patients frequently lose their airway protective reflexes and their respiratory drive. Thus, they may die as a result of airway obstruction by the flaccid tongue, aspiration of gastric contents into the tracheobronchial tree, or respiratory arrest. These are the most common causes of death due to overdoses of narcotics and sedative-hypnotic drugs (eg, barbiturates and alcohol). 

Finally, some patients may die before hospitalization because the behavioral effects of the ingested drug may result in traumatic injury. Intoxication with alcohol and other sedative-hypnotic drugs is a common contributing factor to motor vehicle accidents. Patients under the influence of hallucinogens such as phencyclidine (PCP) or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may suffer trauma when they become combative or fall from a height. 

Jasinski, D.R., Assessment of the abuse potentiality of morphinelike drugs (methods used in man), in Drug Addiction 1 Morphine, Sedative/Hypnotic and Alcohol Dependence, W.R. Martin, Ed., Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1977. 

Overdosage with ethanol and sedative-hypnotic drugs (eg, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, r-hydroxybutyrate [GHB], carisoprodol [Soma] see Chapter 22 Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs and Chapter 23 The Alcohols) occurs frequently because of their common availability and use. 

Sedative-hypnotic drugs and anxiolytic drugs are CNS depressants that are used medically to reduce anxiety and/or induce sleep. They may also be used as anticonvulsants. Phenobarbital, for example, is often the maintenance drug of choice for seizure-prone individuals. In general, the sedative-hypnotic family of drugs includes alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and such barbiturate-like drugs as chloral hydrate, glutethi-mide, meprobamate, and methaqualone. 

Triazolam, USP. Triazolam. 8-chloro-6-(o-chlorophc-nyl)-l-methyl-4Ay-j-triaz.olol4.3-a f l,4 benzxxliazcpinc (Hal-cion). has all of the characteristic benzodiazepine pharmacological actions. It is marketed as a sedative-hypnotic drug said to impair little, if any. daytime function. It is rapidly metabolized to the I-methyl alcohol, which is then conjugated and excreted. 

However, if more than 3-5 mg kg-1 is needed over 24 h, it should be considered whether insufficient atropine/oxime therapy or inappropriate supportive care (oxygen) may explain convulsions, and whether ventilatory support is necessary. Diazepam potentiates the sedative effects of other sedatives/hypnotics, including alcohol. Diazepam should not be mixed with other drugs in the same infusion solution or in the same syringe as there are numerous incompatibilities. 

Sedatives, hypnotics, and alcohol are depressants of the central nervous system (CNS). The degree of this reversible depression depends on the amount of drug ingested, producing effects according to the following scheme ... 

Which sedative hypnotic drugs may be useful in the prevention of withdrawal symptoms in a severe alcoholic who has stopped drinking ... 

Ethanol, a sedative-hypnotic drug, is the most important alcohol of pharmacologic interest. It has few medical applications, but its abuse as a recreational drug is responsible for major medical and socioeconomic problems. Other alcohols of toxicologic importance are methanol and ethylene glycol. 

Withdrawal from alcohol or a sedative-hypnotic drug. 

C. It may be used therapeutically or diagnostically for patients with suspected alcohol or sedative-hypnotic drug withdrawal syndrome. 

Use With Alcohol. Alcohol is a CNS depressant, as are the sedatives and hypnotics. When alcohol and a sedative or hypnotic are taken together, there is an additive effect and an increase in CNS depression, which has, on occasion, resulted in death. The nurse must emphasize tiie importance of not drinking alcohol while taking this drug and stress that the use of alcohol and any one of these drains can result in serious effects. 

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