Are you having trouble sleeping? Or do you feel anxious or nervous all the time? Maybe you have a seizure disorder? In such cases, your doctor may prescribe a special medication. These can help to control your brain activity and make you feel calm. Today, we are talking about this class of medication, which is called CNS Depressants.
What are these CNS Depressants?
Simply put, CNS Depressants are a class of drugs that slow down or slightly depress the activity of our Central Nervous System. The central nervous system refers to our brain and spinal cord. These drugs slow down the signals going to the brain, relax our muscles, and bring about a sense of calm.
There are several types of these medications. Your doctor will choose the most appropriate medication based on your condition. For example, one type is used for sleep problems such as insomnia, and another type is used for anxiety and muscle spasms.
These medications work by increasing the activity of a chemical in our brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) . Think of GABA as a 'brake' that controls the speed of our brain. CNS Depressant medications work by making that 'brake' work a little better. Then, the rapid activity of the brain decreases and we feel calm and sleepy.
In the first few days after you start using this medication, it is normal to feel more sleepy and lethargic than usual. This is only until your body gets used to the medication.
The table below lists the main classes of CNS depressants used and some examples of them.
| Drug category | Commonly used examples (brand names) |
|---|---|
| Benzodiazepines | |
| Non-Benzodiazepine Sedative Hypnotics | |
| Barbiturates |
What are the benefits and risks of these medications?
When used exactly as directed by a doctor, these medications can greatly improve your quality of life. You may start to sleep better, feel less anxious, or have fewer seizures.
However, along with these benefits, there are also some hidden risks associated with these medications, which we must be aware of.
Drug Dependence and Addiction
When you use this medicine for a long time, your body can get used to it. Then, you need to increase the dose of the medicine a little to get the same effect as before. This is called tolerance .
When the dosage is increased in this way, sometimes the drug becomes indispensable, that is, dependence on the drug . An even more serious condition is addiction . What happens is that, rather than getting relief from the illness, the person is tempted to use more than the doctor prescribed, seeking the feeling of well-being that the drug provides.
Withdrawal
If you stop using this medicine suddenly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, which include:
- Restlessness and anxiety
- Sweating with fever
- Seeing things that are not visible (Hallucinations)
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Insomnia
- Convulsion
- Tremor
- A strong desire to take medicine
Therefore, never stop taking this medication suddenly without talking to your doctor. He or she will tell you how to gradually reduce the dosage and stop taking it without harming your body.
Overdose
Taking more medication than your doctor has prescribed is very dangerous. Also, drinking alcohol with this medication is a bad idea. Both of these reduce brain function, and when taken together, breathing can stop completely and even cause death.
An overdose can cause serious consequences such as:
- Lack of oxygen to the brain (Hypoxia)
- Convulsion
- Permanent brain damage
- Going into a coma
- Death
What is medication misuse?
Medication misuse refers to things like:
- Taking more or less than the dosage prescribed by the doctor.
- Taking the medicine in other ways, such as snorting it instead of taking it orally.
- Using medication prescribed for someone else.
- "Intoxication" is taking medication without expecting relief from an illness, that is, expecting to get high.
When you use medication incorrectly in this way, you may face many dangerous side effects.
| Possible side effects due to misuse | |
|---|---|
| Story twist | Dry mouth |
| Difficulty concentrating | Difficulty walking |
| Confused | Memory loss |
| Frequent or persistent headaches | Low blood pressure |
| Dizziness, lightheadedness | Decreased breathing rate |
What to do in case of an overdose?
If you or someone you know overdoses on such a drug, immediately take them to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) without any hesitation.
It is very important for doctors and staff in the emergency room to know exactly what medication was taken and how much. That information is the basis for determining the correct treatment.
Often, in emergencies, doctors will give a shot of a drug called `Flumazenil (Romazicon).` This is used to reverse the effects of an overdose. This shot may need to be repeated every 20 minutes until the patient recovers.
Take-Home Message
- These medications should only be used on the recommendation of a doctor.
- Never change the dosage of a medication on your own. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.
- Never stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Avoid using alcohol or other drugs completely while taking this medication. It is very dangerous.
- Keep your medicine in a safe place out of reach of anyone else, especially children.
- If an overdose is suspected, immediately go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) .
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