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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: Barbiturates

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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...

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

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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...

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An Inexpensive, Scalable Behavioral Assay for Measuring Ethanol Sedation Sensitivity and Rapid Tolerance in Drosophila

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Euthanasia and palliative sedation in Belgium.

Raphael Cohen-Almagor¹, E Wesley Ely^2,3,4

¹School of Law and Politics, University of Hull, Hull, UK.

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care

|January 7, 2018

Summary

Distinguishing palliative sedation from euthanasia is crucial for end-of-life care. This analysis clarifies these terms to prevent confusion and potential abuse in patient management.

Keywords:

end of life care hospital care pain quality of life symptoms and symptom management terminal care

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Area of Science:

Medical Ethics
Palliative Care Medicine

Background:

End-of-life care involves complex terminology, leading to confusion between palliative sedation and euthanasia.
Physicians and nurses sometimes misinterpret sedating patients to relieve suffering as euthanasia.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the distinctions between palliative sedation and euthanasia using data from Belgium.
To reduce confusion and improve communication regarding end-of-life patient management.

Main Methods:

Analysis of data from Belgium.
Examination of terminology related to palliative care, sedation, and euthanasia.

Main Results:

Palliative sedation is a legitimate response to refractory suffering, distinct from euthanasia.
Misconceptions can lead to concerns about abuse, obfuscation, and disregard for patient care processes.

Conclusions:

Clearer understanding and communication are needed to differentiate palliative sedation from euthanasia.
Suggestions are offered to improve patient management and prevent potential abuse in end-of-life care.