What to know about sedatives

April 17, 202505/09/2025

Sedatives, or central nervous system depressants, are a group of drugs that slow brain activity. They may help someone feel more relaxed and sleep better. Examples include barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

There has been a recent increase in sedative prescriptions. Doctors prescribe sedatives to treat conditions such as:

anxiety disorders
sleep disorders
seizures
tension
panic disorders
alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Sedatives are drugs that people commonly misuse. Misusing sedatives and prolonging their use may lead to dependency and eventual withdrawal symptoms.

This article examines the different types of sedatives available and their possible uses. It also looks at the potential risks associated with using them and some alternative options.

What do doctors prescribe sedatives for?

Sedatives have numerous clinical uses. For example, they can induce sedation before surgical procedures, and this can range from mild sedation to general anesthesia.

Doctors also give sedatives and analgesics to individuals to reduce anxiety and provide pain relief before and after procedures.

Obstetric anesthesiologists may also give sedatives to people experiencing distress or restlessness during labor.

Because of their ability to relieve physical stress and anxiety and promote relaxation, doctors may also prescribe sedatives to people with insomnia, anxiety disorders, and muscle spasms.

People with bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and seizures may also benefit from prescription sedatives.

List of sedatives

The following is a list of sedatives that people commonly use.

Barbiturates

Barbiturates help relieve anxiety and treat seizures.

Examples of barbiturates include:

phenobarbital (Luminal)
amobarbital (Amytal Sodium)
butalbital (Fiorinal)
pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines treat various conditions, including:

panic attacks
insomnia
seizures
depression
painful muscle spasms

Examples of benzodiazepines include:

diazepam (Valium)
alprazolam (Xanax)
clonazepam (Klonopin)
lorazepam (Ativan)

Hypnotics

Also known as nonbenzodiazepine sleep medications or Z-drugs, hypnotics are similar to benzodiazepines but cause fewer side effects. Doctors typically use hypnotics to treat sleep disorders.

Examples of hypnotics include:

zolpidem (Ambien)
eszopiclone (Lunesta)
zaleplon (Sonata)

First generation antihistamines

Some antihistamines have sedating properties and are useful in treating mild sleep problems.

Antihistamines are available over the counter and include:

diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
brompheniramine (Dimetapp)

Others

Other medications slow brain activity and have sedating effects using different mechanisms than those that sedatives utilize. These include:

opioids
alcohol
general anesthetics
muscle relaxants
antidepressants
antipsychotics

Side effects and risks

Although sedatives have intended clinical effects, they may also cause some unwanted short-term side effects, including:

difficulties with focus and concentration
memory loss
slow reaction times
impaired depth and distance perception
an inability to feel pain
confusion
impaired judgment
slurred speech
low blood pressure

The long-term use of sedatives may cause:

anxiety
chronic fatigue
weight gain
depression
thoughts of suicide

Dependency

Long-term sedative use can also cause dependence. It is important to note that dependence does not only happen in people who misuse sedatives. It also affects people who take them exactly as the doctor prescribed.

Because their body has become used to the sedative’s effects, a person may also develop a tolerance to the drug or get a reduced effect from it. As a result, they may need higher doses to achieve the same initial effect.

If someone develops a dependence on a drug, they may experience withdrawal if they stop taking it.

Summary

People use sedatives for a variety of clinical purposes. However, these drugs are prone to misuse and may cause severe side effects.

People taking sedatives must communicate with a doctor to prevent adverse side effects, including dependence and withdrawal. People who are planning to take sedatives should first ask a doctor for possible alternatives.

Conclusion

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