Sedatives Sedatives & Sleep& SleepMichaela Fričová, Pavel Rychlý, Michaela Fričová, Pavel Rychlý,

Andrea HáronikováAndrea Hároniková

What a sedative is?What a sedative is?• A A sedativesedative is: is:• substance that depresses the substance that depresses the centralcentral nervousnervous

systemsystem (CNS) (CNS) • Resuts are:Resuts are: • Calmness, , relaxation, reduction of Calmness, , relaxation, reduction of anxietyanxiety, ,

sleepinesssleepiness, slowed breathing, slurred speech, , slowed breathing, slurred speech, staggering staggering gaitgait, poor judgment, and slow, , poor judgment, and slow, uncertain uncertain reflexesreflexes..

Some FactsSome Facts

Sedatives have different degree of CNS depression

pharmacologic effects are dose related small doses: sedation larger doses: hypnosis larger doses: surgical anesthesia (loss of

sensation)

Techniques used to study sleepTechniques used to study sleep

Electroencephalogram (EEG)• monitors electrical brain activity

Electromyogram (EMG) • permits electronic monitoring of head and

neck muscles Electro-oculogram (EOG)

• electrodes placed around the eye, • the EOG records eye movement

Sleep and sleep cyclesSleep and sleep cycles There are three states:There are three states:

Wakefulness Slow-wave sleep – NREM Paradoxic sleep - REM

Stages of sleepStages of sleep

Age Group Age Group Considered Amount of Sleep Considered Amount of Sleep Needed Needed Average % REM SleepAverage % REM Sleep

InfantsInfants 16 - 18 hrs/day 16 - 18 hrs/day 50% 50%

ToddlersToddlers 10-12 hrs/night; 10-12 hrs/night; 1-2 hrs/day 1-2 hrs/day

35% 35%

ChildrenChildren 9-10 hrs/night;9-10 hrs/night;infrequent naps infrequent naps

   

TeenagersTeenagers 9.5 hrs/night 9.5 hrs/night    

Adults Adults 7-8.5 hrs/night 7-8.5 hrs/night 20-25% 20-25%

EldersElders 6.5 hrs/night;6.5 hrs/night;1 hr nap 1 hr nap

   

Sleep by AgeSleep by Age

Types of sedatives Types of sedatives

• AntidepressantsAntidepressants• Barbiturates Barbiturates

• BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines• Herbal sedatives Herbal sedatives

AntidepressantsAntidepressants

The first useful antidepressants belonged to a group called MAOIs(MonoAmine Oxidase Inhibitors) and were discovered in the early 1950s.(Harmaline, Iproclozide, Iproniazid, Isocarboxazid, Nialamide, Phenelzine, Selegiline, Toloxatone, Tranylcypromine)

BarbituratesBarbiturates

• Used infrequentlyUsed infrequently• Should not be used more than 2 weeksShould not be used more than 2 weeks• Short-intermediate acting- secobarbital and Short-intermediate acting- secobarbital and

amobarbital (often, abused)amobarbital (often, abused)• Long-acting- phenobarbital, mephobarbital, Long-acting- phenobarbital, mephobarbital,

and metharbital (generally,not abused)and metharbital (generally,not abused)

BenzodiazepinesBenzodiazepines

Valium is one of these drugs and most frequently prescriben in the U.S. as Xanax

Classified according to duration of effects

Used to reduce psychic tension, anxiety disorders, or temporary relief of anxiety

Effective sedative and less sleep-producing than other drugs in the sedative- hypnotic classification

Alprazolam part of Xanax

Herbal sedativesHerbal sedativesKava (Piper methysticum) Mandragora (Mandragora officinarum)Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Kava is used as a herbal remedy to ease the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression The Mandragora, alone or as an alcoholic infusion, has a long history of use as an anaestheticValerian has uses in herbal medicine as a sedative

Young Piper methysticum

Kava root drying in Lovoni village

Valeriana officinalis:

Mandragora officinarum

Thank you for atentionThank you for atention

Good nightGood night