PS268 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Deinstitutionalisation, Chlordiazepoxide, Lorazepam
Document Summary
Chemicals that first achieved widespread clinical use as nervous system depressants were barbiturates. Barbiturates however, due to sedation effects, are not used for anxiety. Benzodiazepines do not produce sedation or sleep and are used to take the edge off . Benzos include versed, xanax, ativan, restoril, librium, and valium. Benzos are also used as sleeping pills, not because they produce drowsiness but because they promote relaxation. In high concentrations and esp if mixed with alcohol they can result in rapid loss of consciousness. Most people who have trouble falling asleep just have bad sleep hygeine and not a medical problem. If you take too many barbiturates or a small amount with alcohol, breathing centres in brainstem can be shut down and death comes quickly. Automatism problem: take barbiturates, fall asleep, wake up shortly and don"t remember taking them, take some more, can be fatal. Benzos are overprescribed and are associated with a withdrawal syndrome including terrifying dreams.
