PBHL 1105 Chapter Notes - Chapter 7: Chloral Hydrate, Paraldehyde, Central Nervous System Depression

• School: Temple University
• Department: Public Health
• Course: PBHL 1105
• Professor: Dr Dingman

Document Summary

We consider downers as cns depressants which are a common class of substances. Choral hydrate was one of the first hypnotic agent out. Created in 1832 and used clinically around 1970. Mickey finn was some bar tender who added chloral hydrate in drinks so he could rob the patrons. Paraldehyde is next was good as a cns depressant with little respiratory depression and a wide safety margins. The medication has a noxious taste and order. Barbiturates were the first cns depressant meds to be widely used and abused. Grouped by duration of action (how long the drug s effects last) Short acting ones produce effects in 15 min and last 2-3 hours while the long acting take an hour to produce effects may last for 8 or more hours. Lower doses used to treat anxiety higher does used for sleeping pills. Barbiturates were associated with over dose death both accidental and intentional.