hypnotic drugs

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hyp·not·ic / hipˈnätik/ • adj. 1. of, producing, or relating to hypnosis: a hypnotic state. ∎  exerting a compelling, fascinating, or soporific effect: her voice had a hypnotic quality. 2. Med. (of a drug) sleep-inducing. • n. 1. Med. a sleep-inducing drug. 2. a person under or open to the influence of hypnotism. DERIVATIVES: hyp·not·i·cal·ly / -(ə)lē/ adv.

hypnotic (soporific) (hip-not-ik) n. a drug that produces sleep by depressing brain function and is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Hypnotics include benzodiazepines (e.g. nitrazepam, lorazepam) and drugs that act at benzodiazepine receptor sites, such as zolpidem (Stilnoct) and zopiclone (Zimovane). Some hypnotics (e.g. nitrazepam, flurazepam) cause hangover effects in the morning.

hypnotic drugs drugs that induce sleep, sometimes called soporifics. In general, hypnotics are central nervous system depressants . Alcohol, laudanum (see opium ), bromide salts, and herbs such as valerian have been used as hypnotics. Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed hypnotics. Smaller doses of these same drugs may be used as sedatives .

hypnotic
A. soporific XVII;

B. pert. to hypnotism XIX. — F. hypnotique — late L. hypnōticus — Gr. hupnōtikós narcotic, f. hupnoûn put to sleep, f. húpnos sleep; see -IC.
Hence hypnotism, hypnotist, hypnotize XIX.

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