1)         What does anterograde amnesia mean and which drugs can cause this effect?

Anterograde amnesia means that a person cannot remember events or activities during a drugs duration of action. Certain Benzodiazepines cause this. Zolpidem (Stillnox S5) can cause this. It usually occurs in older people (range 40-60). Alprazolam,Bromazepam,Prazepam,Clonazepam (Benzodiazepines) – Zolpidem, Zopiclone (Benzodiazepines- like hypnotics) - fluoxetine, paroxetine and venlafaxine (Antidepressants) can cause this. (Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2011)

2)         Name the effects of the sedative-hypnotic drugs on the normal sleep pattern and explain their significance to the patient.

Benzodiazepines reduces the time to fall asleep and it increases the total sleep duration by 2 hours (Only in patients who sleep less than 6 hours). The significance is that the patients who struggle to sleep can now fall asleep easier and sleep longer. These drugs are most likely to form a dependency, the patient must use the recommended dose.

3)         Which of the sedative-hypnotic drugs are used as a supplementary therapy in anaesthesia?  Can you explain why?

Lorasepam, Midasolam, Diasepam are the drugs used in anaesthesia. Also Flumazenil.

4)         Which of the sedative-hypnotic drugs are used as anticonvulsants?

Diazepam, Lorasepam (status epilepticus), Nitrasepam. Klonasepam and Klobasam is used profalactic against epilepsy.

5)         What is the mechanism of the muscle-relaxing effects of some of the carbamates and the BDs?

Carbamate act as an acetylecholine(AC)- esterase inhibitor. There would be more AC in the body and would cause muscles to relax since it is responsible for parasympathetic actions. BDs bind to the GABA receptor complex increasing the affinity of the GABA receptor for GABA. This cause a calming sedative hypnotic and anxiolytic effect. The calming effect of this drugs indirectly leads to muscle relaxation.

6)         Discuss the effects of the sedative-hypnotic drugs on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Sedative hypnotic drugs causes a calming effect. This calming effect indirectly causes low heart rate and bronchoconstriction. When sedative-hypnotic drugs are being abused it can cause total respiratory depression which can lead to death.

Reference :

Bertram G. Katzung 2018, B Basic & Clinical Pharmacolog, Lange, McGraw hill, University of California, San Francisco.