The 7 types of sedatives (and their characteristics).

A classification of the types of sedatives, explaining their effects and their usefulness in medicine.

How many sedatives are there? This question has many answers depending on what we consider a sedative.

If our definition of a sedative is any drug made specifically for sleeping, calming or soothing, barbiturates and benzodiazepines would be the drugs that best represent this group.

However, if we also include drugs that have sedative effects, both secondary and therapeutic, then the list of types of sedatives list of types of sedatives becomes more extensive.

Below we will see which drugs induce sedation to a greater or lesser extent.

The main types of sedative drugs (classified and explained)

Sedative drugs are those drugs that induce sedative, tranquilizing and hypnotic effects..

Depending on which classification is consulted, some consider that sedative drugs are mainly barbiturates, although if we look at the effects of various psychotropic drugs we can also consider that there are antidepressants, antipsychotics and natural remedies that would fall into the category of sedatives.

Basically, any drug that induces some depressant effect on the central nervous system can be considered a sedative, a tranquilizer or a hypnotic medication..

Throughout this article we are going to see which drugs have sedative effects and, therefore, could be considered as belonging to the category or, at least, be considered as such.

1. Barbiturates

Barbiturates are a group of drugs derived from a substance known as barbituric acid.. Its sedative power on the central nervous system is well known, being this one of its main uses. The intensity of their effects varies quite a lot depending on the substance and the amount used, and can range from rather mild sedation to the most powerful anesthesia. Because of this, they are prescribed as potent anxiolytics, hypnotics and anticonvulsants and sometimes as analgesics.

Because they are drugs with high addiction potential and can cause death from overdose, barbiturates have been replaced by benzodiazepines in routine medical practice for problems such as anxiety and insomnia. Nevertheless, barbiturates continue to be used in general anesthesia, epilepsy and, in some countries, assisted suicide.

Among the barbiturates we find:

• Phenobarbital
• Secobarbital
• Pentobarbital
• Amobarbital
• Phenobarbital

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are substances whose chemical structure is composed of a benzene ring, which is joined to another seven-membered heterocyclic ring known as diazepine. These drugs have sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, relaxing and amnesic effects..

Because of their versatility and because they are safer drugs than barbiturates, benzodiazepines are commonly used in the therapy of anxiety and insomnia, as well as other problems such as epilepsy, alcohol withdrawal and muscle spasms.

These drugs are used to calm the mood of people who have abused psychostimulants, as well as to treat panic states caused by hallucinogen intoxication.. They are also used in invasive procedures such as endoscopy or dental interventions, especially when the patient shows anxiety before the intervention.

Among the benzodiazepines we have:

• Diazepam

• Clonazepam

• Temazepam

• Estazolam

• Alprazolam

• Chlordiazepoxide

• Flunitrazepam

• Lorazepam

• Chlordiazepoxide

• Clotiazepam

• Triazolam

• Oxazolam

• Estazolam

• Midazolam

• 3. Antidepressants

  Although antidepressants are known to be the main option in the pharmacological treatment of depression, it is true that some of them have sedative effects, both as a desired effect when it comes to the treatment of depression and in the treatment of depression.The main reason for this is that some of them have sedative effects, either as a desired effect when dealing with an anxiety disorder or some kind of psychiatric condition in which the individual is overexcited, or as an unwanted side effect.

  3.1. Tricyclic antidepressants

  The tricyclic antidepressants are a group of drugs applied in the treatment of depression whose chemical structure is characterized by a chain of three rings. They are one of the most important types of psychotropic drugs used in the medical treatment of mood disorders, both in depression and bipolar disorders.

  Among the sedative tricyclic antidepressants we have

  • Clomipramine

  • Nortriptyline

  • Amitriptyline

  • 3.2. Tetracyclic antidepressants

    These are antidepressant drugs which, unlike the previous ones, tetracyclics have four-ring chains. Within this group we can find drugs with sedative properties such as:

    • Amoxapine
    • Maprotiline
    • Mianserin
    • Mirtazapine
    • Trazodone

    It should be noted that mirtazapine and trazodone are the most widely used antidepressants with sedative effects.. In fact, they are two drugs that are used as an alternative to other substances with hypnotic effects but which have not been effective.

    4. Antihistamines

    Antihistamines are known as the drugs used in the treatment of allergies, both to reduce their symptoms and to reduce their effects.They work by blocking the action of the Allergy triggering substance, both to reduce its symptoms and to eliminate them. They work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical substance that is released in the body when an allergic reaction occurs. Antihistamines, as their name suggests, act by blocking the action of histamine during allergic reactions.

    Histamine has the function of keeping people awake. Histamine H1 receptors are found in many parts of the body, but about half of them are in the hypothalamus, which regulates among other things the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness.. It is because of this that, when we take an antihistamine, it makes us drowsy and calm.

    • Fexofenadine

    • Ebastine

    • Hydroxyzine

    • Oxatomide

    • Cetirizine

    • Desloratadine

    • Diphenhydramine

    • Dimenhydrinate

    • Doxylamine

    • 5. Antipsychotics

      Antipsychotics, also called neuroleptics, are drugs commonly used for the treatment of psychotic disorders, although they are not drugs commonly, but not exclusively, used for the treatment of psychotic disorders..

      They are used in disorders such as schizophrenia to make hallucinations disappear, and in bipolar disorders to reduce the symptomatology associated with a manic episode, with or without psychotic symptoms.

      Neuroleptics are also used in problems such as depression, brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases with acute confusional syndromes. They are also used to treat psychosis caused by substance abuse.

      They have sedative effects, both therapeutically and in the form of adverse effects.. Among the adverse effects caused by these drugs we have, apart from sedation, slowing of cardiac conduction, hypotension, dyskinesia and tardive akathisia, agranulocytosis, weight gain and increased appetite, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.

      Both first (typical antipsychotics) and second generation antipsychotics (atypical antipsychotics) block brain dopamine pathway receptors and some have antihistamine and antiemetic effects, giving them their sedative power. This makes them able to prevent dizziness and vomiting, which is why some are prescribed for patients with some are prescribed in chemotherapy patients or as drugs to prevent motion sickness..

      As mentioned above, these can be divided into two groups, which we will see below.

      Typical antipsychotics (heavy tranquilizers)
      • Fluphenazine
      • Haloperidol
      • Thiothixene
      • Trifluoperazine
      • Loxapine
      • Perphenazine
      • Prochlorperazine
      • Chlorpromazine
      • Levomepromazine
      Atypical antipsychotics (non-heavy tranquilizers)

      • Clozapine

      • Quetiapine

      • Risperidone

      • Ziprasidone

      • Olanzapine

      • 6. Sedative herbal remedies

        While not as potent as psychotropic drugs, there are certain herbal remedies with sedative effects. While they are not recommended options for the treatment of severe mental disorders such as depression, bipolar and psychotic disorders, they are considered to be considered an aid for non-pathological stress and anxiety.. Among these sedative herbal remedies we find:

        • Nepeta
        • Valerian
        • Mandrake
        • Passionflower
        • Justicia pectoralis
        • Piper methysticum (Kava)
        • Verbena officinalis

        7. Other sedatives

        Finally, we have a group composed of different drugs found in different pharmacological groups.. All of them present sedative effects, both as a therapeutic effect and in the form of adverse effects. Among them we find:

        • Eszopiclone
        • Ramelteon
        • Methaqualone
        • Ethchlorvinol
        • Chloral hydrate
        • Meprobamate
        • Glutethimide
        • Methyprylon
        • Gamma-hydroxybutyrate
        • Ethyl alcohol (alcoholic beverage)
        • Diethyl ether (Ether)
        • Methyl trichloride (Chloroform)
        • Zopiclone
        • Zolpidem
        • Alpidem
        • Zaleplon

        Generic effects of sedatives

        Because there are so many types of drugs that can be considered sedatives, the effects they have on the central nervous system are very varied. Some of them increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, a chemical that inhibits brain activity and leads to both sedative and hypnotic effects. That is, they are calming and produce drowsiness, which is why most of them are used as a treatment for anxiety and sleep disorders.

        People who take sedative drugs often feel drowsy, manifesting coordination problems during the first weeks of the treatment until their body adjusts to the side effects. Other effects, on the other hand, may be caused by the individual's body reacting in an unexpected way to the drug or by overdose:

        • Confusion
        • Dizziness
        • Distorted speech
        • Concentration and memory problems
        • Headaches
        • Dry mouth
        • Motor problems
        • Slowed breathing
        • Lower blood pressure

        There may even be side effects opposite to the sedative and calming effects for which they are consumed.for which they are consumed. Among these effects we find:

        • Nightmares
        • Anxiety
        • Aggressiveness and anger attacks
        • Irritability

        Depending on the drug and whether it is safe or not, when a person has been taking sedatives for some time, higher doses may be needed to achieve the therapeutic effects. This increase in dosage should be initiated and supervised by a physician, as continued use of sedatives can lead to dependence.The continued use of sedatives can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms when the drug dose is suddenly reduced or the treatment is stopped completely. In some cases, discontinuing treatment with sedatives can lead to serious health problems.