Hypnotics

Hypnostics Hypnotics are drugs that act as an CNS depressant. Drugs of first generation(barbiturate and non-barbiturate hypnotics) act primarily on teh ascending part of reticular formation, hypothalamus, thalamus and cerebral cortex. Hypnotics of second and third generation effect mainly on limbic system.

Hypnotics decrease vigility(vigilance). The effekt is graduated according to the dose size in order sedation-hypnosis-narkosis.

Sedation means calming the patient(motorically and mentally). Sedatives are considered to be those drugs that do not lead in themselves to teh induction of sleep. Those are for example plant extracts(Valerian officinalis – Tinctura valerianae, Maypop – Passiflora incarnata – NOPASSIT®, also bromisoval, guaifenezine – sedative, anxiolytic, myorelaxans). Some drugs included in this group in larger doses can still induce sleep(bromisoval, phenobarbital). They are considerate complementary drugs.

You will find more detailed information on the page Sedatives Hypnosis repressents a condition similar to physiological sleep. The ideal hypnotic should maintain the physiological sequence of REM and nonREM phases. However, most drugs shorten REM sleep, leading to a insufficient "sleep". After discontinuation of treatment a "rebound phenomenon" may occur, i.e