Readings

• Barbiturates prolong the duration of Cl- channel opening and increase Cl- ion influx. They also have additional inhibitory abilities related and unrelated to the Cl- channel
• Benzodiazepines increase the activity of GABA by increasing the frequency of Cl- channel opening
• Barbiturates are derived from barbituric acid
• At higher doses, all barbiturates can produce general anesthesia due to their CNS depressing effects.
• The DMMS in the liver is what's responsible for metabolizing barbiturates
• Adverse effects of barbiturates are CNS depressant effects such as: drowsiness, dry mouth, lethargy and incoordination. The elderly are especially susceptible to these
• Withdrawal symptoms of barbiturates are: anxiety, insomnia, cramping, tremors, delirium and convulsions.
• Barbiturate ODs cause extensive extensive depression to the vital centers in the medulla oblongata.
• There is no antidote for barbiturate overdose
• Benzos are commonly referred to as antianxiety drugs
• Benzos are lipid soluble drugs that are metabolized by the DMMS.
• Benzos don't cause enzyme induction so withdrawal symptoms are much more reduced than something like barbiturates
• Benzos potentiate the actions of other CNS depressants such as alcohol and barbiturates.
• The neurotransmitter dopamine contributes a lot to psychosis
• Typical antipsychotics are phenothiazines, butyrophenones and thioxanthines