Benzodiazepines are safer than barbiturates in seizure patients because:
A) the effect of benzodiazepines is limited by the amount of endogenous GABA in the CNS.
B) benzodiazepines cannot cause hypotension or respiratory depression.
C) the therapeutic dose of barbiturates is very close to the lethal dose.
D) benzodiazepines cause a counteraction by inducing high levels of dopamine in the CNS.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, and their effect is limited by the amount of endogenous GABA in the CNS. Barbiturates, on the other hand, enhance the effects of GABA by directly interacting with GABA receptors and can cause significant respiratory depression and hypotension, especially in patients with seizures. The therapeutic dose of barbiturates is also very close to the lethal dose, making them more dangerous than benzodiazepines. The induction of high levels of dopamine in the CNS is not a characteristic effect of benzodiazepines and is not relevant in the context of this comparison.

Benzodiazepines Are Safer Than Barbiturates in Seizure Patients Because