Benzodiazepines and Barbiturates by Oliver Kowalski https://padlet.com/bigoliver14/mzvbs8e3yhd6 Made to inform. en-us 2019-11-18 04:25:22 UTC 2019-12-10 21:21:52 UTC hello@padlet.com Benzodiazepines bigoliver14 https://padlet.com/bigoliver14/mzvbs8e3yhd6/wish/412517397 Mechanism of Action – Benzodiazepines are widely used for anxiety, muscle relaxation and epilepsy. Benzodiazepines act by causing an increased affinity of the GABA receptor and its binding properties, resulting in increased binding of the benzodiazepine, inhibiting the concentration of GABA. These medications have amnesia-like properties and act on the depression of the central nervous system through the opening of chloride channels upon binding to GABA-A receptors. This allows for the feeling of sleepiness or relaxation and a large reason as to why people tend to abuse the drug.

Medications - Diazepam, Estazolam, Quazepam, Alprazolam, Oxazepam, Clonazepam. (Fookes C., 2019)

Signs & Symptoms of Benzodiazepines – Difficulty breathing or inability to breathe, peripheral cyanosis, confusion, dizziness and fatigue, vision problems, general weakness, muscle spasms, altered LOA. (Guarnotta, 2019)

Life Threats - Most benzodiazepine medications are named with endings of either “pam” or “lam”. They act by binding to benzodiazepine receptors that are a smaller unit of gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA-A) receptors which are found between these alpha and gamma units within the complex. These then increase the affinity for the endogenous GABA receptors and cause a significant increase in binding. When this increase in binding occurs, the frequency of chloride ion channel opening increases allowing for an influx of the chloride resulting in a hyperpolarization. This led to the overdosing on the medication and can result in airway compromise. The loss in control of the airway may lead the patient into vomiting through stimulation of the vagal nerve and the tightening of the abdominal muscle, forcing stomach contents up through the lower GI tract into the esophagus. Patients risk aspiration and ultimately can lead into death. As the CNS is also depressed, the respiratory center (Tulane University, 2018)

]]> 2019-11-18 04:26:25 UTC https://padlet.com/bigoliver14/mzvbs8e3yhd6/wish/412517397 Barbiturates bigoliver14 https://padlet.com/bigoliver14/mzvbs8e3yhd6/wish/412517567 Mechanism of Action - These drugs are often used as a sedative drug inducing effects such as sleep and decreased stress and anxiety. Barbiturates act by increasing the postsynaptic properties of GABA by binding the barbiturate with the alpha and beta units found within the GABA receptors. When bound, chloride ion counts are increased through release , resulting in the inhibition of the postsynaptic GABA. This is done due to the depressive effects it has on the central nervous system (CNS) through its mechanism of action which alters neuronal charges through the change in chloride ions within the brain. In turn, this creates resistance to the impulses sent to the brain from the depression of the CNS. (Fookes C., 2019) 

Medications – Secobarbital, Butabarbital, Mephobarbital, Pentobarbital. (Fookes C. B. , 2019)

Signs & Symptoms of Barbiturates – Altered level of consciousness, muscle weakness, nausea and vomiting, bradycardia, decreased urine output, slurred speech. (Hardey, 2019)

Life Threats -
Patients who overdose on barbiturates are at risk of cardiovascular collapse at which occurs when the loss of consciousness from the overdose results in a decrease in vegetative function. This leads to a decreased respiratory rate, heart rate and blood pressure causing a complete collapsing. This further decreases the vegetative function and ultimately leads to death.(Jolee T. Suddock, 2018) 
]]> 2019-11-18 04:27:19 UTC https://padlet.com/bigoliver14/mzvbs8e3yhd6/wish/412517567 Sources bigoliver14 https://padlet.com/bigoliver14/mzvbs8e3yhd6/wish/412518438 Fookes C., B. (2019). Barbiturates. Drugs.com.

Fookes C., B. (2019). Benzodiazepines. Drugs.com.

Guarnotta, E. (2019). Benzodiazepine Overdose: Know the Signs. DrugAbuse.com.

Hardey, S. (2019). Barbiturate Overdose: Symptoms, Effects, and Risks. American Addiction Centers.

Jolee T. Suddock, M. D. (2018). Barbiturate Toxicity. StatPearl.

Tulane University. (2018, January 31). Benzodiazepine Pharmacology Overview. Retrieved from Tusom Pharmwiki: http://tmedweb.tulane.edu/pharmwiki/doku.php/benzodiazepine_pharmacology

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