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Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview

Sedatives are drugs that alleviate anxiety, while hypnotics induce sleep. Both classes of medication suppress neuronal activity, leading to a calming effect for sedatives and facilitating sleep for hypnotics.
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines have both sedative and hypnotic properties. They include compounds such as diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax). Structurally, their cores are similar, consisting of the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring, but they share a common mechanism of action in the central nervous system (CNS).
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a drug class that acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to alleviate anxiety, promote relaxation and induce sleep.These drugs function by amplifying the actions of the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), resulting in reduced neuronal activity. Barbiturates, a subset of sedatives and hypnotics first synthesized in the late 1800s, are categorized into ultra-short, short, intermediate, and long-acting groups based on their duration of effect. A key...

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines

CNS depressants include drugs from the category of barbiturates and benzodiazepines. They are valuable medications for managing anxiety disorders and insomnia. Barbiturates, once used to induce and maintain sleep, have been replaced mainly by benzodiazepines due to barbiturate's toxicity, tolerance, and overdose risks. They interact with GABAA receptors, leading to sedation at low doses and potentially coma and death at higher doses. Phenobarbital, a long-acting barbiturate, possesses...

Depressants

Depressants

Depressant drugs, including alcohol and sedative-hypnotics, diminish central nervous system activity by enhancing the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that reduces brain activity and promotes relaxation. These substances can have various therapeutic uses but also pose significant risks, especially when misused or combined.
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

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[Hypnotics and tranquillisers. Patients' knowledge and attitudes.].

S D Magnusdottir, G Karlsson, S Thorarinsson

|August 15, 2009

Summary

Patients generally understand the risks of hypnotics and tranquillisers, but further education can minimize drug use. Many users seek alternatives for sleep and anxiety, indicating a need for enhanced health promotion strategies.

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Last Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers

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Published on: January 13, 2018

Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation

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Published on: January 5, 2014

Area of Science:

Pharmacology
Public Health
Patient Education

Context:

Investigated patient attitudes and knowledge regarding hypnotic and tranquilliser use in Egilsstaethir district.
A stratified randomised sample of 208 individuals who had used sedatives and/or tranquillisers participated.
Data collected between 1986-1993 from a population of 3029 inhabitants.

Purpose:

To understand patient perspectives on hypnotics and tranquillisers.
To assess patient knowledge about these medications and household remedies.
To explore patterns of use and attitudes towards cessation.

Summary:

Mean age of users: 55.1 (tranquillisers) and 60.1 (hypnotics). Women predominated, mostly married and employed.
Many used these drugs for sleep, with a quarter starting after short-term sleep issues. Doctors often initiated prescription.
Over half tried household remedies; a majority attempted cessation. Guilt was uncommon, and sleep knowledge was generally good.

Impact:

Findings suggest patients grasp the risks of long-term hypnotic and tranquilliser use.
Highlights the potential for increased health promotion to further minimize drug dependency.
Identifies a need for continued patient education on medication risks and alternatives.