Drugs of Abuse-Opioids, Sedatives, Hypnotics

Keith Azevedo; Molly Johnson; Michael Wassermann; Jessica Evans-Wall

doi:10.1016/j.ccc.2021.03.003

Drugs of Abuse-Opioids, Sedatives, Hypnotics

Crit Care Clin. 2021 Jul;37(3):501-516. doi: 10.1016/j.ccc.2021.03.003.

Authors

Keith Azevedo¹, Molly Johnson², Michael Wassermann², Jessica Evans-Wall²

Affiliations

¹ Departments of Emergency and Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Hospital, MSC11 6025, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Department of Emergency Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, MSC11 6025, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.

PMID: 34053703
DOI: 10.1016/j.ccc.2021.03.003

Abstract

Over the last 2 decades, prescription and nonprescription substance use has significantly increased. In this article, 3 particular drug classes-opioids, sedatives, and hypnotics-are discussed. For each class, a brief history of the agent, a description of relevant pharmacology, the clinical presentation of overdose, the management of specific drug overdoses, and a summary of salient points are presented. The intent is to provide a clinically relevant and comprehensive approach to understanding these potential substance exposures in order to provide a framework for management of opioid, sedative, and hypnotic overdoses.

Keywords: Benzodiazepines; Hypnotics; Opioids; Overdose; Sedatives.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
Benzodiazepines
Drug Overdose*
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives / adverse effects
Pharmaceutical Preparations*

Substances

Analgesics, Opioid
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Pharmaceutical Preparations
Benzodiazepines