Prescription Sedatives and Tranquilizers
Introduction to Prescription Sedatives and Tranquilizers
Prescription sedatives and tranquilizers are central nervous system depressants, meaning that they
depress or slow down the body’s functions. These medications are mainly used to relieve anxiety and
assist with sleep problems. Other medical uses include inducing sedation for surgical and other
medical procedures, treatment of alcohol withdrawal, seizure control and relaxation of skeletal
muscles. There are three different classes of sedatives and tranquilizers: benzodiazepines, nonbenzodiazepine
sleep medications and barbiturates. Examples of drugs in each of these three
classes are listed in Table 1 with their corresponding generic, trade and street names.
in the early stages