© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Chapter 7 Depressants and Inhalants

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Depressants  Most widely-used and abused drugs in the U.S  Is popular for its stress and anxiety relieving properties

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. History  Before Barbiturates:  Chloral hydrate was first synthesized in1832 but not used clinically until 1870– for sleep  Paraldehyde was first synthesized in1829 but not used clinically until 1882 – very safe – very, very bad taste and odor  Bromides – to induce sleep in the 19th century, used until 1960s in OTC meds

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. History  In the 1950s the first benzodiazepines were marketed as substitutes for barbiturates  Relatively safe when used for short periods  Long-term use can cause dependence and withdrawal problems

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Effects of CNS Depressants  CNS depressants reduce CNS activity and diminish the brain’s level of awareness  Depressant drugs include:  Benzodiazepines  Barbiturate-like drugs  Alcohol  Antihistamines  Opioid narcotics like heroin  GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate)

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Types of CNS Depressants  Benzodiazepines: Valium-Type drugs  Prescribed for anxiety and sleep  Four of the top-selling prescription drugs in the U.S.  Xanax, Halcion, Ativan, diazepam  Medical uses  Relief from anxiety, neurosis, muscle relaxation, alleviation of lower-back pain, treatment of convulsive disorders, induction of sleep, relief from withdrawal symptoms, induction of amnesia

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Types of CNS Depressants  Types of benzodiazepines:  14 benzodiazepine compounds on the market  Distinguished primarily by their duration of action: short-acting (hypnotics), long-acting (sedatives)  Side effects:  Drowsiness to paradoxical effects (i.e. Rophynol, used to make victims vulnerable to sexual assault)  Tolerance, dependence, withdrawal, and abuse

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Figure 7.1 Schematic diagram of the relative time course of two barbiturates and two benzodiazepines after oral administration.

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.  The clinical value of CNS depressants is dose dependent:  Low dose (sedatives, relieve anxiety and promote relaxation)  Higher doses (hypnotics, can cause drowsiness and promote sleep)  At even higher doses (anesthetics, can cause anesthesia and are used for patient management during surgery) Effects of CNS Depressants

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Effects of Inhalants  Nausea  Cough/sneeze  Light-headedness  Damage heart, kidneys, brain  Hypoxia/death

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Inhalants  Gaseous Anesthetics  Nitrites  Rapid delegation of the arties, great for blood pressure  Unpleasant smell  Volatile Solvents  GHB

© 2006 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved. Dangers of Inhalants  SSD  Damage brain, liver, kidney, heart, fetus  Accidents associated with “intoxication” and fires