1. What does anterograde amnesia mean and which drugs can cause this effect?         Anterograde amnesia refers to decreased ability to remember new information. Drugs that can cause these are: Triazolam, Lorazepam and Midazolam

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

• Decrease the time it takes to fall asleep thus increased sleep duration
• Decrease the duration of REM sleep
• Increase the duration of phase NREM
• Decrease the duration of phase 4 NREM
• These effects thus are significant in helping patients who experience insomnia

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

Thiopental , midazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam. These drugs can be grouped as anxiolytics meaning treating people with anxiety. The drug has the ability to induce sleep thus patients cannot feel or remember the anaesthesia.

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

Phenobarbitone, clonazepam, diazepam, clobazem and lorazepam.

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

Inhibits polysynaptic reflexes. During high doses reduce transmission at skeletal neuromuscular junction leading to muscle relaxation.

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

Respiratory system: significant respiratory depression evident in patients with pulmonary disease. Effects on the respiration are dose related and an overdose may be dangerous. Depression can occur on the medullary respiratory center.

Cardiovascular system: significant cardiovascular depression will take place in patients that suffer from diseases by cardiovascular impairment. Furthermore, the depression is caused because of medullary vasomotor center. Central and peripheral effects may depress the high doses in myocardial contractility and vascular tone this whole process may lead to circulatory collapse which is dangerous.