Drugs Affecting the Central Nervous System
Introduction
• Review of the central nervous system (CNS)
• Anorexiants
• Anticonvulsants
• Antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Dopaminergics
• Anxiolytics and hypnotics
• Mood stabilizers
• Muscle relaxants
• Opioids
• Stimulants
Review of the CNS
• Central nervous system
• Brain and spinal cord
• Coordinates the activity of all parts of the body
• The brain and spinal cord serve as the main processing center for the
entire nervous system and control all the workings of the body
• Millions of neurons control our thoughts, movements, emotions, and
desires.
Anorexiants
• Pharmacodynamics
• Sympathomimetic amines, stimulating satiety centers in the brain
• Noradrenergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic pathways
• Short-term adjunct to weight loss programs in obesity
• Chemically and pharmacologically related to amphetamines
• Phentermine, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine
• Phentermine/topiramate, bupropion/naltrexone
