Hypnotics

Reviewed By David C. Dugdale III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department…more »

Definition

Hypnotics are medications that cause sleep or partial loss of consciousness.

Information

Hypnotics should only be taken under a doctor's direction. They should never be mixed with alcohol or with each other. Taking hypnotics together or with alcohol can lead to excessive drowsiness (sedation) and even death.

References

Mahowald MW. Disorders of sleep. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 429.

Date Last Reviewed: 12/17/2008

Licensed from:

Health Learning Centers Acid Reflux ADHD AIDS and HIV Alzheimer’s Disease Asthma Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain	Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Erectile Dysfunction Fibromyalgia Heart Disease High Blood Pressure High Cholesterol Insomnia	Menopause Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Osteoarthritis Osteoporosis Overactive Bladder Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Smoking Cessation View All Health Learning Centers

Diseases A to Z Symptoms A to Z 3D Body Maps	Treatments A to Z Drugs A to Z 3D Videos	Physician Specialties A to Z Alternative Therapies A to Z Health Slideshows A to Z

Medical Health Videos Alternative Medicine Children's Health Fitness Healthy Aging Heart Health Men's Health	Mental Health Nutrition Pregnancy Sexual Health Skin Health Sleep Disorders	Weight Loss Women's Health Medical Health Videos A to Z Videos by Disease

Featured Diet Reviews Outdoor Health Smoking Cessation Options Immune System Boosters Healthy Sex Birth Control Eye and Vision Problems Heart Health View all Featured	Family Health Women's Health Men's Health Children's Health Senior Health Food Safety Healthy Home Pet Health Guide Online Healthcare View all Family Health	Healthy Lifestyle Beauty & Skin Care Brain Health Dental Health Digestive Health Healthy Eating & Nutrition Sleep Disorders & Solutions Emotional & Mental Health Fitness and Exercise View all Healthy Lifestyle

Healthy Recipes Healthy Slideshows	Seasonal Health Health Blogs	Condition Awareness

Living With Take Control of Your Lupus Treatment Bone Metastases Take Control of Ulcerative Colitis	Understanding Multiple Sclerosis Progression Assess Your Knee Pain Cholesterol and a Healthy Heart	Living with Epilepsy Controlling Crohn's Disease Bipolar Disorder Support View all Condition Management

Check your symptoms

Find a doctor

Explore treatments

Hypnotics

Definition

Information

References

anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics News

anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics Images

anxiolytics, sedatives, and hypnotics Videos

TABLE OF CONTENTS