2. *
1. Not illegal: prescribed by Physician & self administered.
2. With chronic use, side effects are very alarming but
easily dismissed.
3. Combinations with other drugs give bizarre & dangerous
interactions. Check Potential Interactions at:
http://www.drugdigest.org/wps/portal/ddigest/
4. Can cause personality changes:
disruptive, unpredictable, threatening.
3. *
* ALCOHOL – first depressant to be identified & most
commonly abused drug of all time!
* 1800’s – Bromides were used until it was
determined they were toxic.
* 1900’s – Barbiturates took over but were quick to
show their dependence, tolerance build up & lethal
overdoses.
* 1950’s – Benzodiazepines were introduced as the
ANSWER…
4. *
* Barbiturate Acid Derivative
* Sedatives & Hypnotics
* A. Bayer in 1864
* Barbital is 1st of record in 1903
* 2,500 have now been synthesized
* Only 50 are for human use
* Very few are still prescribed for medical use
* Too many unknowns even today regarding how
they work within humans
* Highly regulated: Schedule II & IV
5. *
* Initially thought to be very safe
* Safe for short periods of time…not as a
maintenance medication.
* Long term use leads to many of the same issues
* 1970’s & 1980’s: CNS Epidemic: 1973 saw 100
million prescriptions written for Benzo’s alone!
* Used by twice as many women
6. *
* Can be therapeutic for treating:
* Anxiety
* Neurosis
* Muscle Relaxers
* Lower Back Pain
* Convulsions
* Hypnotic Sleep
* Insomnia
* Withdrawal Symptoms
* Pre-op Amnesia
* Chronic Pain
9. *
* Chloral Hydrate
* Knock-Out Drops: placed in a drink to render one unconscious
* Glutethimide
* Doriden: heavy sedative
* Methyprylon
* Noludar: Sedative/hypnotic
* Methaqualone
* Antimalarial Agent: Sedative no longer produced in US
* Antihistamines
* Not often viewed as a CNS-D but are used as sedatives
* Vistaril & Phenergan…BENEDRYL
* Lunesta, Ambien, Propofol, Etc.
* Rapid sedation
* Used in hospitals and out patient clinics
* Michael Jackson
10. *
* Gamma-Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)
* Naturally found substance in the body
* Inhibits GABA
* Used to treat insomnia, narcolepsy & withdrawal symptoms
* Another date rape drug in the club scene
* Clear, Colorless, Odorless & Tasteless
* Kava Kava Plant
* Extract of a Pepper grown on South Pacific Islands
* Small amounts: euphoria and increased social ability
* Large amounts: relaxation, lethargy, relaxed lower limbs, sleep
* Devil’s Trumpet & Jimson Weed
* Encourage sleep but cause hallucinogens
* Constipation, dry mouth & blurred vision
11. *
* Dependence on a CNS Depressant is considered a psychiatric disorder
* Diagnosis is given when 3 of the following are met within a 12 month period:
* Person needs greatly increased amounts of the substance to achieve the desired
effect or experiences a markedly diminished effect with continued use of the
substance
* Characteristic withdrawal occurs when drug use is stopped, which encourages
continued use of the substance to avoid the unpleasant effects.
* Substance is consumed in larger amounts over a longer period of time than originally
intended.
* Person shows persistent desire or repeated unsuccessful attempts to decrease or
control substance use.
* A great deal of time is spent obtaining and using the substance or recovering from its
effects.
* All daily activity revolves around the substance.
* The person withdraws from family activities & hobbies to use privately or spend more
time with substance abusing friends.
* The person continues use of the substance despite recognizing that it causes
social, occupational, legal or medical problems.
* Getting help: http://www.drugfree.org/
12. *
* Benzo’s are highly addictive
* Know your medications: good, bad & ugly
* Ask questions of your physician
* Don’t assume taking double the prescribed
dose will just make it work better
* Educate your loved ones – help them to
understand their medications
