The 7 Types Of Sedatives (and Their Characteristics)
How many sedatives are there? This question has many answers depending on what we consider a sedative.
Sedatives are a class of drugs used to calm the nervous system, induce relaxation, and, in some cases, promote sleep. They are commonly prescribed to manage anxiety, stress, and certain medical conditions. However, each type of sedative works differently and has unique characteristics. Here are seven common types of sedatives and their distinct features.
If our definition of a sedative is any medication made specifically for sleep, calming or calming, 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, the list of types of sedatives it becomes more extensive.
Next we will see which drugs induce sedation to a greater or lesser extent.
The main types of sedatives (classified and explained)
Sedative drugs are those medications 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 any depressant effect on the central nervous system can be considered a sedative, tranquilizer, or hypnotic medication.
Throughout this article we are going to see which medications have sedative effects and, therefore, could be considered as belonging to the category or, at least, be considered as such.
1. Barbiturates
Barbiturates are another class of sedatives, though they are less commonly used today due to their high potential for abuse and overdose. Like benzodiazepines, they depress the central nervous system but in a more potent and dangerous way. Common examples: Phenobarbital, Secobarbital. Characteristics:
Strong sedative and hypnotic effects.
Can cause deep sedation or coma in high doses.
Risk of overdose and serious side effects, including respiratory depression.
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, this being one of its main uses. The intensity of its effects varies greatly depending on the substance and the amount used, and can range from mild sedation to more powerful anesthesia. Because of this, they are prescribed as powerful anxiolytics, hypnotics and anticonvulsants and sometimes as pain relievers.
Since they are drugs with a high potential for addiction and can cause death due to overdose, barbiturates have been replaced by benzodiazepines in routine medical practice for problems such as anxiety and insomnia. However, there is still use of barbiturates, being used in general anesthesia, epilepsy and, in some countries, assisted suicide.
Among the barbiturates we find:
2. Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are perhaps the most commonly prescribed sedatives. They act by enhancing the effect of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which slows down brain activity, promoting relaxation and sleep. Common examples: Diazepam (Valium), Alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan). Characteristics:
Fast-acting, providing quick relief from anxiety.
Can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Can lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms with long-term use.
Benzodiazepines are substances whose chemical structure is composed of a benzene ring, which joins another seven-membered heterocyclic ring known as a diazepine. These medications have sedative, hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, relaxing and amnesic effects.
Thanks to their versatility and 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, in addition to treating panic states caused by poisoning with hallucinogens. They are also used in invasive procedures such as endoscopy or dental interventions, especially when the patient shows anxiety before the intervention.
3. Antidepressants
Some antidepressants, especially those with sedating properties, can also be used as sedatives. These medications can help treat both depression and insomnia. Common examples: Trazodone, Mirtazapine. Characteristics:
Used in the treatment of depression and anxiety, with side effects of sedation.
May cause drowsiness, dizziness, and weight gain.
Can be a long-term solution for people who suffer from both mood disorders and sleep problems.
Although antidepressants are known to be the main option in the pharmacological treatment of depression, it is true that some have sedative effects both as a desired effect when addressing an anxiety disorder or some type of psychiatric condition in which the individual is overexcited, or in the form of an unwanted side effect.
3.1. Tricyclic antidepressants
Tricyclic antidepressants are a group of medications applied in the treatment of depression whose chemical structure is characterized by having a chain of three rings. These are one of the most important types of psychotropic drugs used in the medical treatment of mood disorders, both depression and bipolar disorders.
Among the sedative tricyclic antidepressants we have:
Clomipramine
Nortriptyline
Amitriptyline
3.2. Tetracyclic antidepressants
They are antidepressant drugs that, 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
Notably, Mirtazapine and trazodone are the most used antidepressants with sedative effects. In fact, they are two drugs that are used as an alternative to other substances with hypnotic effects but that have not had an effect.
4. Antihistamines
Although primarily used for allergies, antihistamines can also have sedative effects, making them useful in treating mild insomnia and anxiety. They work by blocking histamine, a neurotransmitter that promotes wakefulness. Common examples: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Hydroxyzine. Characteristics:
Can cause mild sedation and drowsiness.
Non-prescription options available over the counter.
Often associated with dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.
Antihistamines are known as drugs used in the treatment of allergies, 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, work by blocking the action of histamine during allergic reactions.
Histamine has the function of keeping people awake. H1 histamine receptors are in many parts of the body, but about half are found in the hypothalamus, which regulates sleep and wakefulness rhythms, among other things. This is why, when we take an antihistamine, it makes us drowsy and calm.
Fexofenadine
Ebastine
Hydroxycin
Oxatomide
Cetirizine
Desloratadine
Diphenhydramine
Dimenhydrinate
Doxylamine
5. Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics, also called neuroleptics, are drugs commonly used for the treatment of psychotic disorders, although not exclusively.
They are used in disorders such as schizophrenia to make hallucinations disappear, and in bipolar disorders to reduce the symptoms associated with a manic episode, with or without psychotic symptoms.
Neuroleptics are also used in problems such as depression, brain injuries and neurodegenerative diseases that cause acute confusional syndromes. They are also used to treat psychoses caused by substance abuse.
They have sedative effects, both therapeutic and in the form of adverse effects. Among the adverse effects caused by these medications we have, apart from sedation, slowing of cardiac conduction, hypotension, tardive dyskinesia and akathisia, agranulocytosis, weight gain and increased appetite, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia.
Both first-generation (typical antipsychotics) and second-generation (atypical antipsychotics) antipsychotics block the receptors of the brain dopamine pathway and some have antihistamine and antiemetic effects, giving them their sedative power. This means that they can prevent dizziness and vomiting, which is why some are prescribed in chemotherapy patients or as medications to prevent dizziness.
As we have mentioned, 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
Herbal sedatives are natural remedies often used to promote relaxation and sleep. These are typically less potent than prescription sedatives but can still be effective for mild anxiety or insomnia. Common examples: Valerian root, Chamomile, Lavender. Characteristics:
Natural and non-prescription options.
Generally safer with fewer side effects.
Effects can vary from person to person, and effectiveness is often anecdotal.
Although they are not as powerful as psychotropic drugs, there are certain herbal remedies with sedative effects. Although they are not recommended options for the treatment of serious mental disorders such as depression, bipolar and psychotic disorders, they are 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. Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants are sedatives used to relieve muscle spasms or pain. They work by depressing the central nervous system, leading to reduced muscle tension and a calming effect. Common examples: Cyclobenzaprine, Carisoprodol. Characteristics:
Primarily used to treat musculoskeletal pain and spasms.
Can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and impaired coordination.
Typically used for short-term relief, as long-term use can lead to dependency.
Other sedatives
Finally we have a group made up of different drugs that are in different pharmacological groups. All of them have sedative effects, both as a therapeutic effect and in the form of adverse effects. Among them we find:
Eszopiclone
Ramelteon
Methaqualone
Etchlorvinol
Chloral hydrate
Meprobamate
Glutethimide
Methyprilon
Gamma-hydroxybutyrate
Ethyl alcohol (alcoholic beverage)
Diethyl ether (Ether)
Trichlorinated methyl (Chloroform)
Zopiclone
Zolpidem
Alpidem
Zaleplon
Generic effects of sedatives
Since there are so many types of drugs that can be considered sedatives, the effects they cause on the central nervous system are very varied. Some of them increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, a chemical substance that inhibits brain activity and gives rise to both sedative and hypnotic effects. That is, they are calming and cause 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 and have coordination problems during the first weeks of treatment until your body adjusts to the side effects. Other effects, however, can be caused because the individual’s body reacts in an unexpected way to the drug or due to an overdose:
Confusion
Dizziness
Distorted speech
Concentration and memory problems
Headaches
Dry mouth
Motor problems
Slow breathing
Lower blood pressure
There may even be side effects opposite to the sedative and calming effects, by which they are consumed. Among these effects we find:
Nightmares
Anxiety
Aggression and anger attacks
Irritability
Depending on the drug and whether it is safe or not, when a person has been taking sedatives for a while, they may need higher doses to achieve therapeutic effects. This increase in dosage must be initiated and supervised by a doctor, since continued use of sedatives can lead to dependence and cause withdrawal symptoms when the dose of the drug is suddenly reduced or the treatment is stopped completely. In some cases, stopping sedative treatment can cause serious health problems.
FAQs About Sedatives
What are the side effects of sedatives?
Side effects can vary depending on the type of sedative but may include drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, memory issues, and in some cases, dependency or overdose.
Are sedatives addictive?
Some sedatives, like benzodiazepines and barbiturates, can be addictive, especially when used long-term. Non-habit forming options, like certain herbal sedatives, carry a lower risk.
Can sedatives be used for anxiety?
Yes, sedatives are commonly prescribed for anxiety. Medications like benzodiazepines and certain antidepressants can help alleviate anxiety symptoms.
How long do sedatives stay in your system?
The duration depends on the type of sedative. For example, short-acting sedatives like zolpidem (Ambien) may wear off within a few hours, while longer-acting sedatives like diazepam (Valium) may last much longer.
Can sedatives interfere with other medications?
Yes, sedatives can interact with other medications, especially those that also depress the central nervous system. Always consult a doctor before combining sedatives with other drugs.
Understanding the different types of sedatives, their effects, and their potential risks can help you make informed decisions about their use, whether for sleep, anxiety, or other conditions.
