They’re also sometimes prescribed for excessive agitation, muscle spasms, and seizures. During the early half of the 1900s, these drugs were viewed as safe depressants. But problems with barbiturate addiction and deadly overdoses soon became apparent. Because the potential for misuse is so high, they are no longer used as commonly as they were in the past. If you’ve been prescribed a depressant, it’s important to know that it can cause drowsiness and decreased inhibition.
Inhalants, which we will also be examining, do not have any sleep-inducing effects. At the same time, some drugs produce sedative effects through mechanisms other than the GABA receptor. Antihistamines, one such example, act at histamine receptors and cause drowsiness as a side effect. Although we will not be exploring them in this chapter, keep this in mind.
- However, if you feel too sluggish or overly sleepy while taking medications that depress the CNS, talk to your doctor.
- The combination of fast absorption and taking in the drug through the lungs results in an immediate rush and noticeable effects.
- Long-term or recreational use can lead to dependence and addiction.
- Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Halcion (triazolam), Ativan (lorazepam), and Klonopin (clonazepam) are the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines.
- Some people also use opioids and opiates, such as heroin, as recreational drugs.
Recall from Chapter 4 that γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the brain’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter. This is because GABA targets GABA receptors, which promote hyperpolarization of the postsynaptic cell. This inhibits the postsynaptic cell from firing and releasing other neurotransmitters such as glutamate or norepinephrine. As a result, increasing GABA activity will, in general, reduce the activity of other neurons and transmitters.
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF CNS DEPRESSANTS?
If you suffer from insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, or seizures, your doctor may prescribe a class of drugs called central nervous system (CNS) depressants. These medications are designed to slow your brain down, mixing alcohol and hallucinogens relax your muscles, and provide a sense of calm. Central nervous system (CNS) depressants are drugs that work by slowing brain activity and are beneficial in treating chronic sleep disorders (narcolepsy).
In extreme cases and, in particular, where severe addiction and/or abuse is manifested, an inpatient detoxification may be required, with flumazenil as a possible detoxification tool. Gabapentinoids are absorbed from the intestines mainly by the Large neutral amino acid transporter 1 alcohol and menopause (LAT1, SLC7A5) and the Excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3). They are one of the few drugs that use these amino acid transporters. Gabapentinoids are structurally similar to the Branched-chained amino acids L-leucine and L-isoleucine, both of which also bind to the α2δ site.
These include Naloxone for opioid overdoses and Flumazenil for overdoses of benzodiazepine. An overdose of a CNS depressant can happen by accident, but people sometimes choose to take more of the drug than a doctor recommends to get a more “intense” effect. People have also been known to overdose on these medications deliberately to end their lives. Sometimes, a person may not realize they are at risk of an overdose, such as when they use opioid pain relief medication and then drink alcohol.
Other Factors That Affect CNS Depression
Treatment for addiction to a central nervous system depressant begins with detox to allow the drugs to exit the system, preferably in rehab or medical facility. After detoxification, a patient will can you overdose on kratom typically move onto a residential inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Some CNS depressants become less effective over time, so that a person may feel the need to take a larger dose.
There may be an alternative treatment, or perhaps your dose can be adjusted. A mild slowing of the CNS may make you feel less anxious and more relaxed. That’s why CNS depressants (sedatives) are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. If it is a result of the misuse of CNS depressants, certain medications are prescribed.
Some of these substances, for example, codeine, are present in medications for coughs or diarrhea. But, high doses of these drugs can reduce the activity of the CNS to dangerously low levels. If you experience any of these effects after taking a depressant, seek immediate medical attention or call 911. If you have a medical condition that puts you at risk for CNS depression, talk to your doctor. Discuss the best way to manage your health and how to recognize possible complications of your disease early on.
More on Brain & Nervous System Disorders
While opioids vary tremendously in strength, addictive potential, and other aspects, they tend to be very chemically similar and typically have similar effects. While opioids are considered extremely effective for treating pain, they are also some of the most addictive and dangerous drugs in the world. Every year, opioid overdose takes the lives of tens of thousands of Americans.
Treatment and Therapies for CNS Depressant Addiction
Branched-chained amino acids like l-leucine, l-isoleucine, and l-valine have many functions in the central nervous system. Mild CNS depression is often the goal of taking some CNS depressants, especially sleep and anxiety disorders. It’s important to take the medication exactly as your doctor prescribes to avoid a more severe form of the condition. It would be best to inform your doctor as soon as you experience any side effects that you find intolerable.
This can become dangerous and lead to slow breathing, unconsciousness, coma, or even death. As mentioned earlier, nitrous oxide is used as a general anesthetic. Nitrous oxide is often misused because it is unregulated and produces euphoria and giddiness, which is why it is also called laughing gas. It can also lower inhibitions and cause dissociation, unconsciousness, dizziness, and loss of motor function. There is evidence that nitrous oxide is an NMDA receptor antagonist so its mechanism of action may differ from other inhalants. Unlike other psychoactive drugs, inhalants are most commonly used by children and adolescents.
Non-Benzodiazepine Sedative Hypnotics
Clinically, this can be manifested as megaloblastic anemia, a condition caused by improper production of erythrocytes (red blood cells). When used in a medical or dental setting, a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen is dispensed by an anesthesia machine with a fail-safe system to protect the patient from hypoxia. The system shuts down the delivery of nitrous oxide if the oxygen content falls below 30% (the concentration of oxygen in room air is 21%). Another safeguard for nitrous oxide use is scavenging systems to remove nitrous oxide from the air and prevent toxicity in patients and dental staff.