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The term sedative describes drugs that serve to calm or relieve anxiety, whereas the term hypnotic describes drugs whose main purpose is to initiate, sustain, or lengthen sleep. Because these two functions frequently overlap, and because drugs in this class generally produce dose-dependent effects (ranging from anxiolysis to loss of ...
Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure. Examples of drugs which can be used for sedation include isoflurane , diethyl ether , propofol , etomidate , ketamine , pentobarbital , lorazepam and midazolam .
The technique has become less popular with the advent of more modern procedural sedation drug combinations, though it is still rarely used today as a combination of 2.5 mg droperidol and 50 μg (micrograms) of fentanyl in a ratio of 50:1. This combination is characterized by immobility, analgesia, and variable amnesia.
Benzodiazepines are still among the most widely prescribed sedative-hypnotics in the United States today. Certain non-benzodiazepine drugs are used as hypnotics as well. Although they lack the chemical structure of the benzodiazepines, their sedative effect is similarly through action on the GABA A receptor. They also have a reputation of being ...
Zolpidem tartrate, a common but potent sedative–hypnotic drug.Used for severe insomnia. Hypnotic (from Greek Hypnos, sleep [1]), or soporific drugs, commonly known as sleeping pills, are a class of (and umbrella term for) psychoactive drugs whose primary function is to induce sleep [2] (or surgical anesthesia [note 1]) and to treat insomnia (sleeplessness).
Somnifacient (from Latin somnus, sleep [1]), also known as sedatives or sleeping pills, is a class of medications that induces sleep. It is mainly used for treatment of insomnia. Examples of somnifacients include benzodiazepines, barbiturates and antihistamines. Around 2-6% of adults with insomnia use somnifacients to aid sleep. [2]
These include allergic reactions, over-sedation, respiratory depression, and hemodynamic effects. These typically depend on the sedative agent used. Some agents are more likely to cause complications than others, but all sedative agents can cause complications if not used properly. Titration is a common technique used to reduce these complications.
Inhalation sedation using nitrous oxide has a long history of safe use in both medicine and dentistry. It can therefore be used safely in most patients in the dental setting. [5] However, in some patients sedation with nitrous oxide would be unsuitable. Some examples are below. A patient who is unable to use a nasal mask.