20
Anxiolytic and
hypnotic agents
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
1.
Define the states that are affected by anxiolytic or hypnotic agents.
2.
Describe therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse
reactions and important drug–drug interactions associated with each class of anxiolytic or hypnotic agent.
3.
Discuss the use of anxiolytic or hypnotic agents across the lifespan.
4.
Compare and contrast the prototype drugs for each class of anxiolytic or hypnotic drug with the other drugs
in that class.
5.
Outline care considerations and teaching needs for people receiving each class of anxiolytics or hypnotic
agent.
Glossary of terms
anxiety:
unpleasant feeling of tension, fear or nervousness in response to an environmental stimulus, whether real or imaginary
anxiolytic:
drug used to depress the central nervous system (CNS); prevents the signs and symptoms of anxiety
barbiturate:
former mainstay drug used for the treatment of anxiety and for sedation and sleep induction; associated with potentially
severe adverse effects and many drug–drug interactions, which makes it less desirable than some of the newer agents
benzodiazepine:
drug that acts in the limbic system and the reticular activating system to make gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA),
an inhibitory neurotransmitter, more effective, causing interference with neuron firing; depresses CNS to block the signs and
symptoms of anxiety, and may cause sedation and hypnosis in higher doses
hypnosis:
extreme sedation resulting in CNS depression and sleep
hypnotic:
drug used to depress the CNS; causes sleep
sedation:
loss of awareness of and reaction to environmental stimuli
sedative:
drug that depresses the CNS; produces a loss of awareness of and reaction to the environment
Test your current knowledge of anxiolytic and hypnotic agents with a PrepU Practice Quiz!
BENZODIAZEPINES USED AS
ANXIOLYTICS
alprazolam
bromazepam
clobazam
diazepam
lorazepam
oxazepam
temazepam
triazolam
BARBITURATES USED AS
ANXIOLYTIC-HYPNOTICS
phenobarbitone
OTHER ANXIOLYTIC AND
HYPNOTIC DRUGS
buspirone
chloral hydrate
dexmedetomidine
promethazine
trimeprazine
zopiclone
zolpidem
