Analeptic

Doxapram

An analeptic, in medicine, is a central nervous system stimulant. The term "analeptic" typically refers to respiratory stimulants (for example, doxapram). Analeptics are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants that include a wide variety of medications used to treat depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and respiratory depression. Analeptics can also be used as convulsants, with low doses causing patients to experience heightened awareness, restlessness, and rapid breathing.[1] The primary medical use of these drugs is as an anesthetic recovery tool or to treat emergency respiratory depression.[2] Other drugs of this category are prethcamide, pentylenetetrazole, and nikethamide. Nikethamide is now withdrawn due to risk of convulsions. Analeptics have recently been used to better understand the treatment of a barbiturate overdose. Through the use of agents, researchers were able to treat obtundation and respiratory depression.[3]

  1. ^ Young, Simon; Campbell, Ryan (January 2015). "Central nervous system stimulants: basic pharmacology and relevance to anaesthesia and critical care". Anaesthesia & Intensive Care Medicine. 16 (1): 21–25. doi:10.1016/j.mpaic.2014.10.005.
  2. ^ Heggem, Brittany (July 2011). "Doxapram". Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. 20 (3): 237–240. doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2011.04.011.
  3. ^ Kim, Y. J.; Lee, H; Kim, C. H.; Lee, G. Y.; Baik, H. J.; Han, J. I. (2012). "Effect of flumazenil on recovery from anesthesia and the bispectral index after sevoflurane/fentanyl general anesthesia in unpremedicated patients". Korean Journal of Anesthesiology. 62 (1): 19–23. doi:10.4097/kjae.2012.62.1.19. PMC 3272523. PMID 22323949.