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Hypnotic or soporific drugs, commonly known as sleeping pills, are a class of psychoactive drugs whose primary function is to induce sleep and for the treatment of insomnia (sleeplessness), or for surgical anesthesia.

This group is related to sedatives. Whereas the term sedative describes drugs that serve to calm or relieve anxiety, the term hypnotic generally 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 consciousness) they are often referred to collectively as sedative-hypnotic drugs.

The benzodiazepines are the main class of drugs that fit into this category. Although there are more than twenty benzodiazepine derivatives, only certain ones have been approved to treat anxiety, sleeplessness (insomnia), or panic disorder (eg, alprazolam). Barbiturates are an older class of medicine that used to be used for these indications as well; however, barbiturates have a narrow therapeutic index, and are more likely to cause respiratory depression, coma and death, and are very rarely used nowadays. The main issue with use of benzodiazepines is dependence. Benzodiazepines differ in their propensity to cause sedation and in the length of time they act for. All benzodiazepines are thought to work by enhancing the inhibitory action of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Doctors prescribe hypnotics to treat insomnia. Insomnia is a sleep problem that may involve difficulty falling or staying asleep. Inadequate sleep affects mood, energy levels, health, and work performance. Common causes of insomnia are stress, traumatic events, depression, anxiety, and medications. If you know the cause of your insomnia and treat it, it may reduce the need for sleep medications to aid or induce sleep.

Types of hypnotics

The FDA has approved five types of hypnotic medications for the treatment of sleep problems, which include: Benzodiazepines, Nonbenzodiazepine receptor agonists, Melatonin receptor agonists, Orexin receptor agonist and Antidepressants.

These medications are all effective for treating sleep problems, but they work in different ways. Some sleep medicines only last a few hours (short-acting medications) while others last longer in the body (long-acting medications). Doctors and other health care professionals choose sleep medications based on the type of sleep problem you have. For example, people who have trouble falling asleep will benefit from a short-acting sleep medicine. People who have trouble staying asleep will benefit more from long-acting sleep drugs.

Side effects of hypnotics

Side effects of hypnotics depend upon the type of hypnotic used. Some common side effects of some hypnotics include: Headache, Nausea, Short-term forgetfulness, Rebound insomnia, Dry mouth, Hallucinations, Dizziness, Drowsiness, Withdrawal symptoms, Unpleasant taste, Confusion and Dependence.

OTC (over-the-counter) hypnotics

Diphenhydramine (for example, Benadryl) and doxylamine (for example, Unisom) are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that can help people fall asleep. These drugs are antihistamines that cause drowsiness and sedation. Only use these medications for a few days. Talk with your doctor or other health care professional if you have insomnia for more than a couple of weeks.

Regards

Mary Wilson

Editorial office

Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

E-mail: pharmatoxicol@eclinicalsci.com