What are sedative drugs in psychiatry and what are their indications? Review article

Abstract

The term sedative drugs, although frequently used, does not refer to any single class of psychopharmacological agents. Rather, these drugs are distinguished by the purpose of their use, that is, interventional administration in order to quickly reduce anxiety, tension, or disturbances in thinking that cause disorganization of behavior. There are extreme or wide definitions of these drugs, from drugs that virtually combine them with sleeping pills, to drugs that act selectively, remove only disorganization and tension, and at the same time improve thinking and acting. In this type of intervention, agents such as neuroleptics (e.g. promazine, haloperidol), antihistamines (e.g. hydroxyzine) or GABAergic drugs (e.g. benzodiazepines) are used. Although these drugs are usually administered in very difficult clinical circumstances, they are highly effective and safe when administered either acute or short-term.