Anxiolytics and Sedative-Hypnotics Toxicity

Overview

4.8 out of 5 (123 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

7

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

18 Jun 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


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Activity Description

Anxiolytic and sedative-hypnotic toxicity is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Common agents include sedating medications, such as benzodiazepines, opioids, barbiturates, antidepressants, and antihistamines. Major risk factors include misuse, overdose, polypharmacy, coingestion with central nervous system depressants like alcohol, advanced age, and underlying medical comorbidities. Clinical manifestations range from sedation and respiratory depression to coma and cardiovascular instability. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, supported by history and toxicologic testing. Management emphasizes airway protection, respiratory and hemodynamic support, and selective antidote use. Potential complications include respiratory depression, cardiac conduction abnormalities, serotonin syndrome, aspiration, hypoxic injury, and death. This activity reviews the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and evidence-based management of anxiolytic and sedative toxicity, including recognition of characteristic toxidromes and life-threatening complications. Participants will strengthen their ability to identify toxic exposures, stabilize patients, interpret diagnostic findings, implement appropriate treatment strategies, and coordinate interprofessional care to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.


UAN: JA4008338-0000-23-084-H01-P

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify patients with anxiolytic or sedative-hypnotic toxicity based on clinical features and risk factors.

  • Select appropriate testing modalities, such as electrocardiography, glucose testing, toxicology screening, and targeted laboratory studies, in suspected cases of anxiolytic and sedative-hypnotic toxicity.

  • Implement individualized, evidence-based strategies for managing poisoning from anxiolytic or sedative-hypnotic medications, ensuring hemodynamic and respiratory stabilization to prevent complications.

  • Collaborate with all members of the interprofessional team, including specialists such as emergency medicine physicians, toxicologists, and intensivists, to provide efficient, comprehensive, and coordinated care in patients who have or are at increased risk for anxiolytic or sedative-hypnotic toxicity.

Pharmacy Activity Type:
Disease/Drug Therapy Related


Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Pharmacists: StatPearls, LLC designates this activity for a maximum of 1.00 ACPE credit(s). (UAN: JA4008338-0000-23-084-H01-P ). Pharmacists should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

paul k. on 6/18/2021

Kelli H. on 9/20/2021

Rachael S. on 10/25/2021

David G. on 11/17/2021

SANTHA A. on 3/5/2022

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KAIKEI C. on 9/7/2023

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daniel h. on 10/4/2023

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ian b. on 5/18/2024

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john b. on 6/5/2024

The articles are poorly written, the questions are not reflective of the articles. You claim they are peer reviewed, but I really doubt it and the credentials of the authors.

Lea S. on 6/6/2024

ishvar p. on 6/7/2024

Travis M. on 6/12/2024

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thomas W. on 11/20/2024

Very informative presentation!

Olesia G. on 11/4/2024

Monica C. on 11/19/2024

Margaret S. on 11/26/2024

Kelli T. on 11/29/2024

Amber B. on 11/30/2024

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Jeffrey H. on 1/4/2025

Excellent piece of work.

JOHN S. on 2/9/2025

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James M. on 7/8/2026

Unlimited Pharmacist CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6344 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7564 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$29 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Pharmacist CE

Access to all the Unlimited Pharmacist CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Pharmacist CE

Access to all the Unlimited Pharmacist CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user