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)

Barbiturates“Barb” = “Downers”

Benzodiazepines

Secobarbital (Seconal)

Pentobarbital(Nembutal)

Diazepam (Valium)

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

Clorazepate (Tranxene)

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

Secobrabital (Seconal)

Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Diazepam (Valium)

Chlrodiazepoxide (Librium)

Clorazepate (Tranxene)

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

• Barbiturates– Memory– Judgment– Depression– Anger– Mood swings

• Sleeping Pills– Drowsiness– Light headache– Confusion– Forgetfulness– Dependence– Muscle

weakness

• 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.

Zaleplon (Sonata)

Zolpidem (Ambien)

Examples

Secobarbital (Seconal)

Pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Diazepam (Valium)

Chrodiazepoxide (Librium)

Clorazepate (Tranxene)

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.