Z-drugs are zaleplon, zolpidem, zopiclone.

Antihistamines include diphenhydramine, dimensionhydrinate, doxylamine, phenergan, promethazine.

Sources:

Sedation
Conscious (moderate) sedation for adults
Sedatives - What are Sedatives?

Life places high demands on an individual's resistance to stress, hence the bouquet of diseases associated with nerves. For depression, obsessive compulsions, severe insomnia, you need to see a doctor, but numerous over-the-counter sedatives can help cope with mild symptoms.

There are several types, they differ in the strength of the effect, in the side effects provided, in the ability to help cope with a particular nervous disease.

Herbal pills

The most numerous, but also the weakest sedatives are made from medicinal herbs. The advantage of such drugs is the almost complete absence of side effects, which are possible only with rare individual intolerance. The tablets can be safely used for treatment.

Valerian root, hop root, motherwort, mint and some other plants are used as raw materials for such tablets. Some manufacturers mix several herbs in one tablet. Such well-known sedatives as "Novopassit" and "Persen" belong to the class of herbal tablets.

The disadvantage of herbal preparations is their weak effectiveness, if the symptoms of the disease are pronounced, then they are unlikely to help.

Bromine preparations

Bromine has a good calming effect on the human body, therefore preparations based on it are quite popular. Long-term use of such drugs can lead to the accumulation of bromine in the body, which will lead to decreased performance, drowsiness, and apathy. Taking bromine preparations can cause a marked decrease in libido.

Anxiolytics

Anxiolytics, or, as they are also called, tranquilizers, are more serious sedatives. They have a pronounced sedative and relaxing effect even in severe nervous disorders. Anxiolytics are able to suppress fears, feelings, and have a hypnotic effect.

The big disadvantage of these drugs is that it develops over time: firstly, the patient needs an increasing dose to achieve the desired effect, and secondly, when the drug is canceled, all problems can return with a vengeance. Therefore, despite the fact that some of them are sold without a prescription, they should only be used as directed by a doctor, strictly following the recommendations for dosage and timing of admission.

The most famous are such anxiolytics as "Phenazepam", "Phenibut", "Afobazol".

Barbiturates

In Russia, drugs based on phenobarbital are popular, they are really capable of calming a person in a very short time, but with constant intake, barbiturates can cause real drug addiction. A rare reception of "Valocordin" or "Corvalol" really helps to cope with sudden nervousness.

Tip 3: What are the effective sedatives for children

Few know that stress can accompany a baby from the moment of birth. As a result, there are nocturnal mosquitoes, excitability, excessive tearfulness and sleep disturbances. In this case, sedatives will help.

Soothing decoctions

Special baths are an easy effective sedative with increased excitability and disturbed sleep. They are prepared using a variety of herbs. For example, nettle, valerian, lavender, mint or coniferous decoctions. This procedure is recommended to be carried out in the evening, before bedtime. Relaxing baths actively affect the nervous system, calming it down. They can be prescribed practically to a baby and up to an age.

As a rule, fees for preparing baths are purchased at pharmacies. For babies under one year old, it is recommended to prepare a decoction of one type of herbs. For older people, a collection based on valerian root, string herb, lemon balm leaves and motherwort gives an excellent soothing effect. The collection is insisted and brewed in advance, and already before bathing, the infusion is added to warm water.

Salt in sedative treatments

One of the sedatives that can be tolerated from an early age is plain sea salt. It removes irritation and has a tonic effect on the skin. Use sea salt to prepare baths. Neurologists often prescribe this kind of procedure with nervous excitability and with the manifestation of rickets, with sleep disturbances and birth trauma. Often baths with sea salt are prescribed as a general tonic.

For the purpose of a general strengthening effect and prevention of sleep disturbances, a small concentration of sea salt is used, on average 2-5 grams per liter of water. At the same time, the water temperature is 37-38оС. The average duration of the procedure is 10-15 minutes.

Preparations based on herbal ingredients

If a person realizes that his strength is leaving him, it is necessary to think about taking sedatives. It is better to consult with the attending physician to prescribe an effective therapy based on the patient's history. For self-medication, you should choose preparations based on herbal ingredients. The composition may contain the following herbs: lemon balm, mint, valerian, motherwort. They are also most often found in herbal preparations, teas and tinctures. Medicines are available over the counter without a doctor's prescription. They do not reduce performance, almost have no side effects. We can only talk about the individual intolerance of individual components.

For a quick and effective stress recovery, it is best to get a doctor's recommendation.

A person who leads an active lifestyle does not want to brew fresh teas, infusions at home every time, so sedatives can be taken according to the instructions. "Persen", "Novopassit", valerian infusion, "Tsetrin" - these drugs are sold in the pharmacy, they include only natural ingredients.

Potent drugs

In severe stressful situations, it is necessary to take potent drugs. Here we should already talk about side effects from them, they are harmful to the body. Drowsiness, lethargy, surges in blood pressure may appear. Take strong drugs without the supervision and advice of a doctor. It is important to observe the dosage and duration of the course. Due to improper use, addiction to the drug may develop. Their advantage is their fast action. If the instructions are followed, psychological health will soon return to normal.

Antidepressants are a group of drugs that are widely used. People find in them salvation and normalization of their mental state.

There are drugs that have a double effect: they soothe the irritated nervous system and normalize sleep. Menovalen refers to such drugs. It contains peppermint and valerian. According to customer reviews, drugs are convenient. No need to brew teas, just take a capsule with a little water.

For any medicine to work with maximum effect, it must be correct. Sedatives are no exception. But when taking them, one should also take into account which group they belong to, whether they are preparations of herbal or synthetic origin.

What are the sedatives

Anxiety drugs, or sedatives, fall into two categories. The first includes those that are of plant origin, the active ingredient in them are extracts of valerian, motherwort, etc. The second category includes synthetic sedatives, which in turn are subdivided into benzodiazepines and barbiturates. In addition to them, antihistamines of the first generation also have a sedative effect, which include, for example, diphenhydramine, which has a pronounced hypnotic effect.

How to take sedatives correctly

Herbal sedatives are available in pharmacies without a prescription. To date, no studies have been conducted to scientifically prove them and justify a safe dosage. Nevertheless, this effect is, and the dosages should be followed by those indicated in the instructions. The most popular drug in this category is valerian. It should not be taken with other sedatives, or synthetic or herbal. Doctors do not recommend using it for a long time.

Motherwort should not be taken on time, so as not to provoke a miscarriage. The herbal preparation kava-kava, which is also sold in Russian pharmacies as a sedative, is prohibited from use in Germany, Switzerland and Canada, as it has a negative effect on the liver. Passionflower (passionflower) has no side effects; it is considered a completely safe component of sedatives. But you cannot use it together with oral contraceptives - it neutralizes their effect. Herbal sedatives are best drunk after a meal so as not to provoke an upset stomach or gastritis.

Synthetic drugs include barbiturates - valocardin, as well as benzodiazepines - relanium, seduxen, diazepam. The former are relatively safe, but have a short duration of action. The latter last longer, but have many side effects and are addictive, so they should be taken strictly under the supervision of a doctor who will prescribe them. Synthetic preparations can be taken at any time, regardless of before or after meals.

General recommendations include the time of taking sedatives: from 14:00 to 15:00 they are especially effective. You cannot combine their reception, there may be the most serious ones. They should not be washed down with grapefruit juice, as well as drinks containing tannin and caffeine, which provoke the opposite effect and cause excessive arousal.

Stress is very unhealthy, and it is recommended to use sedatives to relieve stress and avoid the development of depression and other serious illnesses. However, it is important to understand that these drugs themselves can become a health threat if chosen incorrectly.

The safest remedies

It happens that a person does not have serious problems, but he is nervous because of the accumulated fatigue, minor troubles that grow like a snowball from behind. In this case, it makes no sense to take a strong one, it is enough to choose a light drug. The best option is herbal remedies: fees, tinctures,. Valerian, motherwort, mint will be effective. If you are nervous during the day and feel exhausted, emotionally drained, or overly anxious towards evening, drink chamomile tea.

Weak herbal medicines cannot cope with serious emotional disturbances and high stress, keep this in mind. But on the other hand, with minor problems, they will restore a normal mental state without harm to health.

Sedative to relieve severe stress

Most often, people use a sedative when they cannot cope with stress themselves. Dismissal, divorce, the news of a serious illness or death of a loved one is unsettling, and the resulting negative emotions can cause a nervous breakdown, lingering, apathy. In this case, taking herbal sedatives is often pointless. A suitable option may be drugs - they are relatively safe, but they work stronger and faster than herbal infusions and. It is important to consider that bromine builds up in the body over time if taken regularly. The result is lethargy, a weakening of all emotions, a decrease in libido, an unwillingness to do things that were previously important to a person.

For severe mental trauma, your doctor may prescribe tranquilizers. They have a dramatic inhibitory effect on the nervous system and help even with the development of anxiety disorders and depression. It is important to understand that this is a very serious medication that can only be used with a doctor's prescription. These drugs become addictive over time, so in case of lingering mental disorders, their dose must be increased, which is fraught with the appearance of additional health problems. An experienced physician should work for those who have experienced severe mental trauma or are faced with excessive stress or depression. You should not choose a sedative on your own in such cases.

Sleep disturbance is a serious problem, indicative of a biased rhythm. While you understand the reasons, it is necessary to maintain the strength of the body and take a sedative for insomnia.

You will need

- "Menovalen"
- "Melatonin"
- "Valerian"
- "Ethyl bromisovalerianate"
- "Valokordin"
- "Phenobarbital"
- Leaves of mint and lemon balm
- Beet juice
- Honey
- Motherwort
- St. John's wort
- Yarrow
- Chamomile flowers

Instructions

In case of any ailment, a person does not want to waste time finding out and going to the pharmacy. In order not to harm the nervous system, it is worth taking pills for insomnia. Safe sedatives include Menovalen. It relieves stress, has virtually no side effects and is not addictive. This sedative for insomnia is taken in courses, the purpose of which is to completely restore sleep. Menovalen is good because in the morning after taking it, there is no drowsiness.

If you confuse day with night, you should give preference to "Melatonin". The medication is made on the basis of a hormone produced by the body at night. This is not a sleeping pill, but a pill for natural rhythm restoration. The drug is especially suitable for "owls" who have difficulty getting up in the morning.

People who prefer pills for insomnia will love the mild action of Valerian. You just need to agree on the dosage with your doctor: with a mild sleep disorder, pills will help. In case of serious disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system, concentrated drops are needed.

You can also use Ethylbromisovalerianate, Valocordin, Phenobarbital, or just use peppermint oil. But it is best not to be lazy and adopt folk recipes for dealing with insomnia.

Herbal medicine takes longer than the treatment of sleep disorders with drops and. But the effect of it lasts for years. The easiest way is to drink tea with mint and lemon balm leaves every evening as a preventive measure. In the absence of allergies, you can improve the taste of the drink with lemon and honey. But the sugar in soothing tea is superfluous - on the contrary, it excites the brain, leading to insomnia.

Motherwort is indicated for severe stress and depression. First, you need to prepare the infusion by pouring 3 dessert tablespoons of chopped leaves with a glass of hot water and setting it under the lid for a quarter of an hour. Drink the filtered infusion in a dessert spoon 4 times a day at equal intervals between doses. In order not to suffer from the regime, which is sometimes difficult to follow, you can drink tea. The tea leaves are prepared from motherwort, St. John's wort, yarrow, mint and chamomile, taken in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1: 1. For 1.5 cups of boiling water, you need to pour 2 dessert spoons of the mixture. Drink before meals and at night.

Tip 8: What are sedatives, how they work

Sedatives are psychotropic drugs that have a calming effect on the central nervous system (CNS) without significant impairment of its functions. Such agents are used in medicine mainly for the treatment of neurotic conditions.

Sedatives and their types

Drugs of this group are able to reduce the excitability of the central nervous system, exert a regulatory effect on it, restoring the balance between the processes of excitation and inhibition, and, if necessary, enhance the processes of inhibition. Sedatives have a less pronounced psychosedative effect than tranquilizers, and do not have hypnotic and muscle relaxant properties, and, importantly, do not cause ataxia.

With the systematic use of sedatives for a long time, there is no mental drug dependence on them. In the recommended therapeutic doses, sedatives are not able to have a hypnotic effect. But, providing a calming effect on the central nervous system, they can provoke the onset and deepening of sleep.

Distinguish between sedatives of synthetic and herbal origin. Among herbal preparations, medicinal plants such as motherwort, valerian medicinal, medicinal lemon balm, patinia average (valerian stone), passionflower incarnate, peony evading and tropical plants of the pepper family kava-kava have found widespread use. The pharmacological effects of herbal sedatives are very diverse. For example, valerian medicinal, in addition to the sedative effect associated with a decrease in the excitability of the central nervous system, has antispasmodic properties, improves coronary circulation, regulates the work of the heart, enhances the secretion of the glands of the gastrointestinal tract and improves bile secretion.

Motherwort has similar effects on the body to valerian, also exerting an antihypertensive effect and reducing the heart rate. Passionflower and peony additionally have an anticonvulsant effect. Melissa has antipruritic, antihypertensive, antispasmodic, and anti-arrhythmia effects. In addition, it has a mild choleretic effect, favorably contributes to the restoration of intestinal microflora and activation of the secretion of the gastrointestinal tract. Kava-kava has excellent sleeping pills, antimicrobial and analgesic effects.

Sedative drugs

The calming effect is also characteristic of some drugs, which are often not considered as drugs that affect the central nervous system. For such drugs, sedation is concomitant with the main pharmacological effect. For example, a pronounced sedative effect is observed when using the diuretic acetazolamide ("Diacarb"), some antihypertensive drugs - clonidine hydrochloride ("Clonidine"), or methyldopa. Some antihistamines have a sedative and in some cases even hypnotic effect, in particular diphenhydramine hydrochloride ("Diphenhydramine") and diprazine.

To achieve the best therapeutic effect, the correct choice of sedatives or the appropriate combination of drugs and the establishment of the most effective dose, which can only be determined by a specialist after prior consultation, is very important.

Tip 9: How sedatives affect the body: addiction

Stress, lingering depression or prolonged tension have a negative effect on the brain. Good sedatives can help manage the problem, but many types of drugs, including barbiturates (Nembutal) and benzodiazepines (such as Valium or Xanax), can cause complications.

Sedatives: definition

There are different types of CNS depressants, most of which act on the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Neurotransmitters are brain chemicals that support communication between brain cells. GABA works by decreasing brain activity. Although different types of CNS depressants work in their own way, it is ultimately due to the ability to increase GABA activity that a relaxing effect is achieved that helps restore disturbed sleep and calm the nerves.

Among the effective sedatives, the following are distinguished:

Barbiturates such as Mebaral and Sodium Pentobarbital are useful in treating anxiety, tension and sleep disorders;
The benzodiazepines Diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide HCl (Librium) and Alprazolam (Xanax) are prescribed for the treatment of anxiety, acute stress reactions or panic attacks;
More relaxing benzodiazepines such as Triazolam (Halcion) and Estazolam (ProSom) may be prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders.

At higher doses, some CNS depressants can be used as general anesthetics.

Despite their many beneficial effects, barbiturates and benzodiazepines must be used as directed. During the first few days after taking the prescribed depressant, the person may feel sleepy, which will go away over time. If you use a sedative for a long time, the body gets used to it and begins to require an increase in dosage. The constant use of sedatives can cause severe physical dependence. Since all CNS depressants work by slowing down the activity of the brain, when a person stops taking them, brain work can get out of control. At high doses or when overused, many of the sedatives can cause unconsciousness and even coma. Therefore, before buying a remedy, be sure to consult a doctor.

Side effects

The main disadvantage of sedatives is that the activity of the central nervous system slows down. Small doses relieve stress, and large doses can disrupt the perception of time and space, slow down reflexes and breathing. At the same time, sensitivity to pain decreases, thinking is impaired, and speech becomes slurred. Overdoses cause unconsciousness or shock.

CNS depressants should be used with other drugs only under medical supervision. Sedatives should not be combined with medications or substances that cause depression, including prescription drugs, some over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, or alcohol. The use of CNS depressants with these substances, especially alcohol, is dangerous and fraught with serious complications.

Anxiety medications: symptoms of unhealthy addiction

The person feels the need to increase the dosage due to the decrease in the effect obtained.

After completing the course, the person begins to suffer, insomnia and anxiety quickly return.

To determine a sedative, hypnotic or anxiolytic disorder, it is enough to coincide with several signs:

Sleeping pills or anxiolytics are taken in large doses or for much longer (the dosage is changed without the permission of the doctor);
There is a desire to reduce or independently control the use of sedatives;
Taking too long to recover from sedation;
Does not let go of the obsessive desire to constantly take sedatives;
There is an inability to control oneself, to perform daily tasks at work (the negative effect of drugs on activity and physical condition);
The need for medication increases after stress or personal problems;
The use of sedatives is becoming such a priority that social, professional and recreational activities are either completely stopped or drastically reduced.

There are several ways to prevent prescription drug abuse. When visiting a doctor, provide a complete medical history, describe your problem so that the doctor understands the complaint and can prescribe the appropriate medication. If your doctor prescribes a pain reliever, stimulant, or CNS depressant, follow the directions carefully and learn about the effects this drug may have, especially during the first few days when adjustment occurs. Never use another person's prescription or increase or decrease doses yourself!

Addiction treatment

Although there are currently no extensive studies regarding the treatment of barbiturate and benzodiazepine dependence, patients addicted to these drugs must undergo medical supervisory detoxification. Inpatient or outpatient counseling can help a person during this process.