Wallach's Interpretation of Diagnostic Tests: Pathways to Arriving at a Clinical Diagnosis (1200 page)

   Detects fewer affected pregnancies than combined first-semester plus second-trimester screening modalities.

   Does not permit first-trimester decision making regarding termination of affected pregnancies.

SEDATIVE–HYPNOTICS
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See Alcohols (Volatiles, Solvents), Benzodiazepines.

   Definition

   This group of drugs includes those that reduce tension and anxiety, induce calm (sedative), or induce sleep (hypnotic). All have CNS depressant effects. Although other drugs may produce similar effects, the distinctive ability of these drugs is that they achieve their effects without altering mood or reducing sensitivity to pain.

   This class includes ethanol, chloral hydrate, glutethimide, ethchlorvynol (Placidyl), barbiturates, benzodiazepines, meprobamate (Miltown), methaqualone (Quaalude), buspirone (BuSpar), zolpidem (Ambien), and zopiclone (Imovane).

   
Therapeutic range (serum):

   Chloral hydrate (metabolite trichloroethanol [TCE]): 2–12 μg/mL serum

   Ethchlorvynol: 2–8 μg/mL

   Glutethimide: 1–5 μg/mL

   Methaqualone: 1,000–4,000 ng/mL

   Meprobamate: 5–25 μg/mL

   Buspirone: 1–10 ng/mL

   Zolpidem: 25–300 ng/mL