The 7 types of sedatives (and their characteristics)

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

If our definition of sedative is any medication made specifically to sleep, calm or reassure 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 the types of sedatives becomes more extensive.

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

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The main types of sedatives (classified and explained)

Sedative drugs are those medications that induce sedative, tranquilizer, 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 a 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 drugs have sedative effects and, therefore, Therefore, they could be considered as belonging to the category or, at least, be considered as such.

1. Barbiturates

Barbiturates are a set 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 rather 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Since they are drugs with a high potential for addiction and can cause death by overdose, barbiturates have been replaced by benzodiazepines in routine medical practice for problems such as anxiety and insomnia. However, the use of barbiturates continues, being used in general anesthesia, epilepsy and, in some countries, assisted suicide.

Among the barbiturates we find:

• Phenobarbital
• Secobarbital
• Pentobarbital
• Amobarbital
• Phenobarbital

• Related article: "Barbiturates: effects, mechanisms of action and toxicity"

2. Benzodiazepines

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

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

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

Among the benzodiazepines we have:

• Diazepam

• Clonazepam

• Temazepam

• Estazolam

• Alprazolam

• Chlordiazepoxide

• Flunitrazepam

• Lorazepam

• Diporhasic chlorazepate

• Clotiazepam

• Triazolam

• Oxazolam

• Estazolam

• Midazolam

• You may be interested in: "Benzodiazepines (psychotropic): uses, effects and risks"

3. Antidepressants

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 dealing with an anxiety disorder or some type of condition psychiatric in which the individual is overexcited, or in the form of secondary effect not wanted.

• Related article: "Types of psychotropic drugs: uses and side effects"

3.1. Tricyclic antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants are a group of drugs 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

• You may be interested in: "Tricyclic Antidepressants: Uses and Side Effects"

3.2. Tetracyclic antidepressants

They are antidepressant drugs that, unlike the previous ones, the tetracyclic ones have chains of four rings. Within this group we can find drugs with sedative properties such as:

• Amoxapine
• Maprotiline
• Mianserina
• Mirtazapine
• Trazodone

Notably 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 that have not worked.

4. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are known as the drugs used in the treatment of allergies, both to reduce your symptoms and to eliminate them. They work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical 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. Histamine H1 receptors are found in many parts of the body, but about half are found in the hypothalamus, which regulates sleep and wake rhythms, among other things.. 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

• Related article: "The 4 types of antihistamines: characteristics and functions"

5. Antipsychotics

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

As we have commented, 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

• Related article: "Atypical antipsychotics: characteristics and main uses"

6. Sedative herbal remedies

While they are not as potent 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. Other sedatives

Finally we have a group composed of different drugs found in different drug 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
• Metiprilon
• Gamma-hydroxybutyrate
• Ethyl alcohol (alcoholic beverage)
• Diethyl Ether (Ether)
• Trichlorinated Methyl (Chloroform)
• Zopiclone
• Zolpidem
• Alpidem
• Zaleplon

Generic effects of sedatives

With 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 that inhibits brain activity and leads to both sedative and hypnotic effects. That is, they are calming and cause drowsiness, this being the reason why most of them are used as a treatment for anxiety and sleep disorders.

People who take sedative drugs tend to feel sleepy, manifesting coordination problems during the first weeks of treatment. until your body adjusts to the side effects. Other effects, on the other hand, can be caused by the individual's body reacting unexpectedly to a drug or by overdose:

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

There can even be side effects opposite to the sedative and calming effects, by those who are consumed. Among these effects we find:

• Nightmares
• Anxiety
• Aggression and outbursts of anger
• Irritability

Depending on the drug and depending on 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 dose should be initiated and supervised by a doctor., since the continuous use of sedatives can lead to dependence and cause withdrawal symptoms when the dose of the drug is suddenly reduced or treatment is stopped altogether. In some cases, stopping sedative treatment can lead to serious health problems.