Have you ever had a doctor prescribe you a medication to help you relax, to help you sleep, or to help you relax before a minor surgery? These are the types of medications we call 'sedatives'. Although these are very useful medications, it is important for us all to be aware of their effects, risks, and proper use.
What exactly is a sedative?
Simply put, tranquilizers are a type of medication that depresses the activity of our central nervous system , that is, the brain and spinal cord. These are medications that should only be obtained with a doctor's prescription. Their potency and duration of action in the body vary.
The following things usually happen when you take this type of medication:
- I feel a great sense of relief in my mind and body.
- Anxiety decreases .
- The intensity of sensations such as pain and touch decreases.
- Feeling sleepy .
- Breathing becomes a little shallow and labored .
- The heart rate slows down a little.
- There may be some temporary disruptions in memory.
Sometimes doctors classify these sedatives and hypnotics together, so you may hear them called "sedative-hypnotics."
What is the difference between 'Sedation' and 'Anesthesia'?
These two words are often confused, but there is a big difference between the two.
Sedation is a drug that makes you feel calm, relaxed, or sleepy. But you are still aware of what is going on around you. A doctor can talk to you and give you advice. It is used to reduce anxiety and nervousness before minor surgeries or dental extractions.
General anesthesia is a procedure that makes you completely unconscious. You don't feel any pain, you don't know what's happening around you, and you don't remember anything that happened at the time. Anesthesia is essential for major surgeries (e.g., open-heart surgery).
Consider that there are three main levels of sedation:
- Minimal: You feel light-headed, but you are awake. You can answer questions and follow instructions.
- Moderate: You may feel very sleepy. You may even fall asleep. You may have some memory loss or confusion after the event.
- Deep: You will fall into a deep sleep. But you will not lose consciousness completely like with anesthesia. You will not remember anything about the event.
What are the types of sedatives?
Tranquilizers can be divided into several main categories. See the table below for a simple understanding of these.
| Drug category | Mainly used | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Benzodiazepines | For conditions like anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. These are the most commonly seen sedatives. | Alprazolam (Xanax®), Diazepam (Valium®), Flurazepam (Dalmane®) |
| Barbiturates | An old medicine. Now used more for anesthesia and to treat epilepsy. | Phenobarbital, Pentobarbital (Nembutal®) |
| Hypnotics | These work similarly to benzodiazepines, but are structurally different. They are mainly prescribed to patients with insomnia. They are also called "Z-drugs". | Zolpidem (Ambien®), Eszopiclone (Lunesta®), Zaleplon (Sonata®) |
| Miscellaneous | Other modern medications that treat insomnia that do not belong to the above categories. | Ramelteon (Rozerem®), Suvorexant (Belsomra®) |
How does this medicine work?
This is a bit of a scientific story, but it's simple. Our brains send messages between nerve cells. What these drugs do is increase the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA (Gamma-aminobutyric acid) in our brain. GABA is an inhibitory chemical that controls brain activity and acts as a "brake" (inhibitory) chemical. So when GABA activity increases, the brain slows down, and we feel calm, relaxed, and sleepy.
What are the risks and side effects?
Tranquilizers are a type of medication that should be used with great caution, as they have certain risks and side effects.
Short-term side effects
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Increased response time
Risks of long-term use
- Always forgetting things.
- Mental problems such as depression.
- Liver damage.
- Drug dependence.
The risk of addiction and how to prevent it?
This is the main risk associated with these medications. Some tranquilizers can produce a feeling of great happiness and relaxation (euphoria). Repeated attempts to achieve this feeling can lead to physical and psychological dependence over time.
To avoid addiction:
- Do not take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor for any reason.
- Do not share the medicine prescribed for you with anyone else.
- Keep the medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children.
- When treatment is complete, safely dispose of any remaining medication.
Overdose and Toxicity
Taking more than the doctor prescribed or taking it with alcohol or other drugs can lead to an overdose. This can be life-threatening .
Symptoms of an overdose:
- Falling into a very deep sleep, difficult to wake up
- Slurred speech
- Uncontrolled unsteadiness while walking (Ataxia)
- Breathing becomes very shallow and labored (Respiratory depression)
- Complete loss of consciousness (Coma)
If you see someone with these symptoms, don't delay! Take them to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
Withdrawal symptoms
If you stop taking this medicine suddenly after using it for a long time, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. This can be very dangerous. Therefore, never stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor.
Things to tell your doctor before taking a sedative
Before a doctor prescribes you a sedative, be sure to tell him these things.
- Your complete medical history .
- If you or someone in your family has a history of drug addiction.
- About any other medications, vitamins, or supplements you are currently taking.
- That is if you use alcohol .
- If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant .
- If you use any other drugs.
Take-Home Message
- A sedative is a type of medication that should only be taken under the advice of a doctor, in the prescribed amount and for the prescribed period of time.
- Do not share your prescribed medication with anyone else for any reason. It is illegal and very dangerous.
- Avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication. The combination of these two can be life-threatening.
- If you have any fears or doubts about the medication, its side effects, or addiction, discuss it openly with your doctor.
- Never stop taking the medication suddenly without consulting your doctor. If you must, do so by gradually reducing the dosage under the supervision of your doctor.
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