Paper I
2025 August (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Diazepam/ Phenobarbitone as Hypnotic. Name the following (Two examples for each): (5x1=5)

Q150.3 marksShort Answers

Answer

Diazepam is the appropriate choice — benzodiazepines have a much wider margin of safety than barbiturates (a ceiling effect on respiratory depression, since they only enhance GABA-mediated chloride channel opening rather than directly opening it), lower abuse/dependence potential, and do not induce hepatic microsomal enzymes. Phenobarbitone, an older barbiturate, carries a narrow safety margin (can cause fatal respiratory depression in overdose), significant enzyme induction (multiple drug interactions), and higher dependence liability — making it an outdated and less safe choice as a routine hypnotic.

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