Various Types of Sedatives and Their Uses
The following are three types of sedatives and conditions they can treat:
Barbiturates
Barbiturates are sedatives that work by increasing gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA). GABA is a brain chemical that plays a role in slowing the activity of brain cells.
Barbiturates have a sedative effect that can last for hours or even days. Therefore, barbiturates are often prescribed for the following conditions:
- Prevent and stop seizures
- Overcoming insomnia
- Become an anesthetic before anesthetic procedures and reduce anxiety
- Treating intracranial hypertension
There are several types of barbiturate sedative drugs that are commonly prescribed, including:
- Phenobarbital and primidone, to treat and prevent seizures
- Amobarbital, to treat insomnia in the short term
- Pentobarbital, used before anesthetic procedures and to stop seizures
- Butalbital, to treat migraines
- Methohexital, as an anesthetic for short treatment and diagnostic procedures.
Barbiturates have several side effects, such as interactions with other drugs, addiction, impaired fetal development, to heart and respiratory disorders. So, make sure to always take this sedative as prescribed by your doctor.
Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines are a class of sedative drugs commonly used to treat anxiety disorders. Like barbiturates, these drugs work by affecting the chemical compound GABA in the brain.
Some of the medical conditions that can be treated with benzodiazepines are:
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic attack
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Seizure
- Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
In addition, this sedative can also be used as a general anesthetic and to relax muscles.
Based on the condition being treated, benzodiazepines consist of several types, namely:
- Alprazolam, diazepam, lorazepam, midazolam, chlorazepat, and chlordiazepoxide, for anxiety disorders
- Estazolam, flurazepam, kuazepam, temazepam, and triazolam, for sleep disorders or insomnia
- Clonazepam, lorazepam, clobazam, diazepam, chlorazepat, to treat seizures
- Midazolam, lorazepam, and diazepam, as anesthetics
- Chlordiazepoxide, to treat withdrawal symptoms
Drugs that are included in benzodiazepines can cause various side effects, ranging from decreased consciousness, dizziness, drowsiness, depression, irritability, to memory problems. This sedative is also at risk of causing overdose and addiction.
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