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Sleeping Pills – Tranquilizers – Barbiturates. By: Ngoc Giang Chem. 12B 05/10/05. Outline. Definition: Sleeping pills Tranquilizers Barbiturates The differences and similarities Some brand names and their structures Their effects Side effects Conclusion and future directions.
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Sleeping Pills – Tranquilizers – Barbiturates By: Ngoc Giang Chem. 12B 05/10/05
Outline • Definition: • Sleeping pills • Tranquilizers • Barbiturates • The differences and similarities • Some brand names and their structures • Their effects • Side effects • Conclusion and future directions
What are they??? Sedative Hypnotics (Tranquilizers – Sleeping Pills) Benzodiazepines Barbiturates “Barb” = “Downers” Clorazepate (Tranxene) Diazepam (Valium) Secobarbital (Seconal) Pentobarbital (Nembutal) Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
Sleeping pills definition • A sedative: Drug that depresses the central nervous system (CNS). • Sedatives may be referred to as tranquilizers, depressants, sleeping pills, downers, etc. • In the form of a pill or capsule • Used to relieve insomnia
Tranquilizers • Drugs that promote tranquility by calming, soothing, quieting, or pacifying without depressant effects. • Ex: hypothalamus (treatment of tension and mental illness), reserpine (modern Western medicine), etc.
Barbiturates • Drugs that are used to treat patients suffering from anxiety or who are having trouble sleeping. • Street names: “reds”, “red devils”, “yellow jackets”, “blue heavens”, “Christmas trees” and “rainbows”.
Similarities • Tranquilizers and sleeping pills belong to a larger group of substances known as the sedative-hypnotics, which slow down or “sedate” the central nervous system (CNS). Both are known as depressants • Both may relieve anxiety and sleeping difficulties.
Cont…. • Barbiturates also belong to the CNS depressants. • Barbiturates are also used to relieve nervousness or restlessness. • Conclusion: Sleeping pills (sometimes referred as tranquilizers) and barbiturates have similar effects.
Differences • The main difference lies in their chemical structure. • In general, barbiturates are stronger. • Sleeping pills reduce the amount of activity in the brain further than tranquilizers (make people fall asleep.) • Some sleeping pills are not classified as tranqulizers; they are barbiturates.
Examples Diazepam (Valium) Secobrabital (Seconal) Clorazepate (Tranxene) Pentobarbital (Nembutal) Chlrodiazepoxide (Librium)
Their Effects • Sleeping pills and tranquilizers treat the symptoms of stress. The relief is only temporary. • Tranquilizers may be used for the stress of everyday life, (but they’re not meant to be used for >7-10 days). • Barbiturates should not be used for anxiety or tension caused by the stress of everyday life.
Side Effects • Sleeping Pills • Drowsiness • Light headache • Confusion • Forgetfulness • Dependence • Muscle weakness • Barbiturates • Memory • Judgment • Depression • Anger • Mood swings • Tranquilizers • Drowsiness • Sensitivity to light • Dry mouth • Difficulty urinating • Decreased sexual ability • Shakiness • Blurred Vision • Fast heart beat • Slowed Movement • Irritability
Conclusion • Should not use sleeping pills and tranquilizers for a long term. (more than a week.) • Should not use barbiturates too frequently since they are strong. • Don’t ever take these drugs with alcohol. It might lead to death. • Alcohol and heroin are also effect the CNS, however, not the same way as sleeping pills.
Future directions • Chemists always try to find better drugs to help people’s problems, but no drugs have no side effects. Therefore, try to find a natural way to improve your health, not the dependence on drugs. • The most liable pills on the market today are Zolpidem (Ambien) and Zaleplon (Sonata). • Different experts may have different opinions about offering these drugs. The only way is not to use them for long-term.
Zolpidem (Ambien) Zaleplon (Sonata)
Examples Secobarbital (Seconal) Diazepam (Valium) Clorazepate (Tranxene) Pentobarbital (Nembutal) Chrodiazepoxide (Librium) Zolpidem (Ambien) Zaleplon (Sonata)
References • http://www.mind.org.uk/ • http://corp.aadac.com/the_basics_about_other_drugs/tranquilizers_abcs.asp • http://www.zoot2.com/justthefacts/drugs/barbiturates.asp • www.drugtestsuccess.com/barbiturates.htm • http://www.streetdrugs.org/depressants.htm • The dark side of sleeping pills – By Daniel F.Kripke, M.D.