Sedatives and Hypnotics By Jessica Davies What are

Sedatives and Hypnotics By Jessica Davies

What are sedatives and hypnotics? Sedatives and Hypnotics are basically one in the same They are Central Nervous System Depressants The biggest difference is the dose Lower doses of the drug are considered sedatives which create a calming effect Higher doses of the drug are considered hypnotics and create a drowsy effect.

Short History The most commonly prescribed sedatives are benzodiazepines, such as Valium These drugs are also known as minor tranquilizers. Before the development of benzodiazepines in the 1950 s and 1960 s, doctors most often prescribed barbiturates to cause sleep and sedation. Because barbiturates have a high potential for abuse, doctors today rarely prescribe them. However, the exception is phenobarbital (Luminal), which is still used as a sedative and as an anticonvulsant.

Types Barbiturates >such as Luminal Benzodiazepines >such as Valium, Restoril, and Xanax “Z-drugs” sedatives >such as Lunesta and Ambien Antihistamines >such as Benadryl Allergy, Dramamine Herbal Sedatives >such as catnip and cannabis Others such as alcohol or opioids

Benzodiazephines Most well-known and most frequently-prescribed of the hypnotic medications Effective short term, but a tolerance to this drug can be built up in 1 -2 weeks When used long term, withdrawal almost always occur Dependency is far more dangerous than that of opiates and other drug classes because of the lethal withdrawal

Therapeutic Use Often used in order to dull a patient’s anxiety that is related to a painful or anxiety-provoking procedure (such as surgery). They do not relieve pain, but are a useful aide to analgesics in preparing a patient for surgery. They help increase the compliance of children or troublesome patients. Also patients in intensive care units are almost always sedated.

Dependence Can cause physiological and psychological dependence when taken over a period of time on a regular basis, even at therapeutic doses Physiologically: Dependent users often experience withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, convulsions or even death Psychologically: Dependent users often feel as if they need the drug to function In both of these finding and using becomes primary focus in their lives.

Abuse Barbiturates and benzodiapines are mostly responsible for the abuse when it comes to sedatives These drugs are much more dangerous due to their widespread recreational and non-medical use. Those who have difficulty dealing with stress, anxiety or sleeplessness can easily overuse Heroin users, if they cannot get their main drug of choice, will use sedatives as a substitute. Some just take them recreationally to relax and forget their worries

Abuse continued… Barbiturate overdosing is a major factor in 1/3 of all reported drug related deaths, including suicide and accidental drug poisoning Some accidental deaths occur when taken with alcohol or taking repeated doses In 1998 a total of 70, 982 cases of exposure were called into U. S. poison control centers. 2, 310 resulted in major toxicity and 89 resulted in death 50% of those admitted to ER as result of nonmedical use of sedatives have a legitimate prescription, but have usually taken an excessive dose.

Health Hazards Most side effects are typical: staggering, blurred vision, impaired perception of time and space, slowed reflexes and breathing, reduced sensitivity to pain, impaired thinking, and slurred speech Health Hazards though are more serious They include: anemia, depression, impairment of liver function. Babies of chronic users may have difficulty in breathing and feeding, disturbed sleep patterns, sweating, irritability and fever.

Conclusion Sedative and Hypnotic help many people in many ways They help relieve anxiety, stress and insomnia Even though they can be a good thing, they also have their down falls We can build a tolerance quickly which can result in a larger chance of abuse and a worse withdrawal stage. Long term use is never advised especially with all the major health hazard that can occur.