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Anxiety
GOAL
Manifestations of anxiety:
Verbal complaints. The patient says he/she is anxious, nervous, edgy. Somatic and autonomic effects. The patient is restless and agitated, has tachycardia, increased sweating, weeping and often gastrointestinal disorders. Social effects. Interference with normal productive activities.
Pathological Anxiety
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): People suffering from GAD have general symptoms of motor tension, autonomic hyperactivity, etc. for at least one month. Phobic anxiety: Simple phobias. Agoraphobia, fear of animals, etc. Social phobias. Panic disorders: Characterized by acute attacks of fear as compared to the chronic presentation of GAD. Obsessive-compulsive behaviors: These patients show repetitive ideas (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions).
Causes of Anxiety
1). Medical: a) Respiratory b) Endocrine c) Cardiovascular d) Metabolic e) Neurologic.
Causes of Anxiety
2). Drug-Induced:
Stimulants Amphetamines, cocaine, TCAs, caffeine. Sympathomimetics Ephedrine, epinephrine, pseudoephedrine phenylpropanolamine. Anticholinergics\Antihistaminergics Trihexyphenidyl, benztropine, meperidine diphenhydramine, oxybutinin. Dopaminergics Amantadine, bromocriptine, L-Dopa, carbid/levodopa.
Causes of Anxiety
Miscellaneous: Baclofen, cycloserine, hallucinogens, indomethacin.
Anxiolytics
Anxiolytics
1) Benzodiazepines (BZDs). 2) Barbiturates (BARBs). 3) 5-HT1A receptor agonists. 4) 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C & 5-HT3 receptor antagonists.
If ANS symptoms are prominent: -Adrenoreceptor antagonists. 2-AR agonists (clonidine).
Anxiolytics
Other Drugs with anxiolytic activity. TCAs (Fluvoxamine). Used for Obsessive compulsive Disorder. MAOIs. Used in panic attacks. Antihistaminic agents. Present in over the counter medications. Antipsychotics (Ziprasidone). Novel drugs. (Most of these are still on clinical trials). CCKB (e.g. CCK4). EAA's/NMDA (e.g. HA966).
Sedative/Hypnotics
A hypnotic should produce, as much as possible, a state of sleep that resembles normal sleep.
Sedative/Hypnotics
1) Benzodiazepines (BZDs): Alprazolam, diazepam, oxacepam, triazolam 2) Barbiturates: Pentobarbital, phenobarbital 3) Alcohols: Ethanol, chloral hydrate, paraldehyde, trichloroethanol, 4) Imidazopyridine Derivatives: Zolpidem 5) Pyrazolopyrimidine Zaleplon
Sedative/Hypnotics
6) Propanediol carbamates:
Meprobamate
7) Piperidinediones
Glutethimide
8) Azaspirodecanedione
Buspirone
9) -Blockers**
Propranolol
Sedative/Hypnotics
Others:
11) Antyipsychotics ** Ziprasidone 12) Antidepressants **
TCAs, SSRIs
Sedative/Hypnotics
All of the anxiolytics/sedative/hypnotics should be used only for symptomatic relief. ************* All the drugs used alter the normal sleep cycle and should be administered only for days or weeks, never for months. ************
Sedative/Hypnotics
Relationship between Older vs Newer Drugs
SEDATIVE/HYPNOTICS ANXYOLITICS
BENZODIAZEPINES BARBITURATES
GABAergic SYSTEM
Sedative/Hypnotics
The benzodiazepines are the most important sedative hypnotics.
Benzodiazepines
Diazepam Chlordiazepoxide Triazolam Lorazepam Alprazolam Clorazepate => nordiazepam Halazepam Clonazepam Oxazepam Prazepam
Barbiturates
Phenobarbital Pentobarbital Amobarbital Mephobarbital Secobarbital Aprobarbital
NORMAL
ANXIETY
_________ _________________
SEDATION
HYPNOSIS
Surgical Anesthesia
COMA
DEATH
Respiratory Depression BARBS Coma/ Anesthesia Ataxia ETOH Sedation Anticonvulsant Anxiolytic BDZs
DOSE
BARBS BDZs
DOSE
GABAergic SYNAPSE
glucose
Cl
GABA-A Receptor
BDZs BARBs
GABA AGONISTS
g d
Oligomeric (dgepr) glycoprotein. Major player in Inhibitory Synapses. It is a Cl- Channel. Binding of GABA causes the channel to open and Cl- to flow into the cell with the resultant membrane hyperpolarization.
Mechanisms of Action
1) Enhance GABAergic Transmission
frequency of openings of GABAergic channels. Benzodiazepines opening time of GABAergic channels. Barbiturates receptor affinity for GABA. BDZs and BARBS
Benzodiazepines
PHARMACOLOGY BDZs potentiate GABAergic inhibition at all levels of the neuraxis. BDZs cause more frequent openings of the GABA-Cl- channel via membrane hyperpolarization, and increased receptor affinity for GABA. BDZs act on BZ1 (1 and 2 subunit-containing) and BZ2 (5 subunit-containing) receptors. May cause euphoria, impaired judgement, loss of cell control and anterograde amnesic effects.
Pharmacokinetics of Benzodiazepines
Although BDZs are highly protein bound (60-95%), few clinically significant interactions.* High lipid solubility high rate of entry into CNS rapid onset.
*The only exception is chloral hydrate and warfarin
Lipid solubility
Pharmacokinetics of Benzodiazepines
Hepatic metabolism. Almost all BDZs undergo microsomal oxidation (Ndealkylation and aliphatic hydroxylation) and conjugation (to glucoronides). Rapid tissue redistribution long acting long half lives and elimination half lives (from 10 to > 100 hrs). All BDZs cross the placenta detectable in breast milk may exert depressant effects on the CNS of the lactating infant.
Pharmacokinetics of Benzodiazepines
Many have active metabolites with halflives greater than the parent drug. Prototype drug is diazepam (Valium), which has active metabolites (desmethyldiazepam and oxazepam) and is long acting (t = 20-80 hr). Differing times of onset and elimination half-lives (long half-life => daytime sedation).
Biotransformation of Benzodiazepines
Biotransformation of Benzodiazepines
Keep in mind that with formation of active metabolites, the kinetics of the parent drug may not reflect the time course of the pharmacological effect. Estazolam, oxazepam, and lorazepam, which are directly metabolized to glucoronides have the least residual (drowsiness) effects. All of these drugs and their metabolites are excreted in urine.
Properties of Benzodiazepines
BDZs have a wide margin of safety if used for short periods. Prolonged use may cause dependence. BDZs have little effect on respiratory or cardiovascular function compared to BARBS and other sedative-hypnotics. BDZs depress the turnover rates of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5-HT) in various brain nuclei.
Sedative/Hypnotics
They produce a pronounce, graded, dose-dependent depression of the central nervous system.
Pharmacokinetics of Barbiturates
Rapid absorption following oral administration. Rapid onset of central effects. Extensively metabolized in liver (except phenobarbital), however, there are no active metabolites. Phenobarbital is excreted unchanged. Its excretion can be increased by alkalinization of the urine.
Pharmacokinetics of Barbiturates
In the elderly and in those with limited hepatic function, dosages should be reduced. Phenobarbital and meprobamate cause autometabolism by induction of liver enzymes.
Properties of Barbiturates
Mechanism of Action. They increase the duration of GABA-gated channel openings. At high concentrations may be GABAmimetic. Less selective than BDZs, they also: Depress actions of excitatory neurotransmitters. Exert nonsynaptic membrane effects.
Toxicity/Overdose
Strong physiological dependence may develop upon long-term use. Depression of the medullary respiratory centers is the usual cause of death of sedative/hypnotic overdose. Also loss of brainstem vasomotor control and myocardial depression.
Toxicity/Overdose
Withdrawal is characterized by increase anxiety, insomnia, CNS excitability and convulsions. Drugs with long-half lives have mildest withdrawal (. Drugs with quick onset of action are most abused. No medication against overdose with BARBs. Contraindicated in patients with porphyria.
Sedative/Hypnotics
Tolerance and excessive rebound occur in response to barbiturate hypnotics.
SLEEP PER NIGHT (%)
CONTROL
WITHDRAWAL
Miscellaneous Drugs
Buspirone Chloral hydrate Hydroxyzine Meprobamate (Similar to BARBS) Zolpidem (BZ1 selective) Zaleplon (BZ1 selective)
BUSPIRONE
Most selective anxiolytic currently available. The anxiolytic effect of this drug takes several weeks to develop => used for GAD. Buspirone does not have sedative effects and does not potentiate CNS depressants. Has a relatively high margin of safety, few side effects and does not appear to be associated with drug dependence. No rebound anxiety or signs of withdrawal when discontinued.
BUSPIRONE
Side effects: Tachycardia, palpitations, nervousness, GI distress and paresthesias may occur. Causes a dose-dependent pupillary constriction.
BUSPIRONE
Mechanism of Action: Acts as a partial agonist at the 5-HT1A receptor presynaptically inhibiting serotonin release. The metabolite 1-PP has 2 -AR blocking action.
Pharmacokinetics of BUSPIRONE
Not effective in panic disorders. Rapidly absorbed orally. Undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism (hydroxylation and dealkylation) to form several active metabolites (e.g. 1-(2pyrimidyl-piperazine, 1-PP) Well tolerated by elderly, but may have slow clearance.
Analogs: Ipsapirone, gepirone, tandospirone.
Zolpidem
Structurally unrelated but as effective as BDZs. Minimal muscle relaxing and anticonvulsant effect. Rapidly metabolized by liver enzymes into inactive metabolites. Dosage should be reduced in patients with hepatic dysfunction, the elderly and patients taking cimetidine.
Properties of Zolpidem
Mechanism of Action:
Binds selectively to BZ1 receptors. Facilitates GABA-mediated neuronal inhibition.
Actions are antagonized by flumazenil
GABA
(-) (-) (-) (-) (-)
NE DA 5-HT ACh
ANXIOLYTIC ?
SEDATION ?
OTHER USES
1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder Diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, buspirone 2. Phobic Anxiety
a. Simple phobia. BDZs b. Social phobia. BDZs
3. Panic Disorders
TCAs and MAOIs, alprazolam
ANXYOLITICS
Alprazolam Chlordiazepoxide Buspirone Diazepam Lorazepam Oxazepam Triazolam Phenobarbital Halazepam Prazepam
HYPNOTICS
Chloral hydrate Estazolam Flurazepam Pentobarbital Lorazepam Quazepam Triazolam Secobarbital Temazepam Zolpidem
References:
Katzung, B.G. (2001) Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 7th ed. Appleton and Lange. Stamford, CT. Brody, T.M., Larner,J., and Minneman, K.P. (1998) Human Pharmacology: Molecular to Clinical. 2nd ed. Mosby-Year Book Inc. St. Louis, Missouri. Rang, H.P. et al. (1995) Pharmacology . Churchill Livingston. NY., N.Y. Harman, J.G. et al. (1996) Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 9th ed. McGraw Hill.