SIDE EFFECTS
Short-term side effects of sedatives include:
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Sleepiness.
Dizziness.
Difficulty focusing or thinking.
Blurred vision.
Impaired depth perception.
Slowed reaction times and reflexes.
Not feeling pain the way you usually do.
CONTRAINDICATION
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Allergy to barbiturates. Prevent severe hypersensitivity reactions.
History of addiction to sedative-hypnotic drugs: barbiturates are more
addicting than most other anxiolytics
Latent or manifest euphoria. May be exacerbated by drug effects
Marked hepatic impairment or nephritis. May alter the metabolism and
excretion of drugs
Respiratory distress and dysfunction. Exacerbated by CNS depression caused
by drugs.
Pregnancy. Associated with congenital abnormalities
Lactation. Has potential for adverse effects on the infant.
Acute or chronic pain. Can cause paradoxical excitement which can mask
other symptoms
Seizure disorder. Abrupt withdrawal of barbiturates can precipitate status
epilepticus
Chronic hepatic, cardiac, and respiratory diseases. Can be exacerbated by
the depressive effects of these drugs.
DRUGS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET
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Benzodiazepine (as Anxiolytic-Hypnotics)
o alprazolam (Xanax)
o chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
o clonazepam (Klonopin)
o diazepam (Valium)
o lorazepam (Ativan)
o oxazepam (Serax)
o triazolam (Halcion)
Barbiturates (as Anxiolytic-Hypnotics)
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amobarbital (Amytal sodium)
butabarbital (Butisol)
pentobarbital (Nembutal)
phenobarbital (Luminal)
Other Anxiolytic-Hypnotic Drugs
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buspirone
diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
meprobamate (Miltown)
promethazine (Phenergan)
zolpidem (Ambien)