What are Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants and what are the potential consequences of their use and abuse?
Central nervous system (CNS) depressants include any agent that can slow down the nervous system function and cause drowsiness, decreased breathing or heart rate, and slow reflex times down significantly. Among the most commonly prescribed CNS depressants are barbiturates , such as Butalbital (Fioricet ® , Fiorinal ® ) and Phenobarbital, which are prescribed to treat anxiety, tension, and sleep disorders; and benzodiazepines , such as diazepam (Valium ® ) and alprazolam (Xanax ® ), which typically are prescribed to treat anxiety, acute stress reactions, and panic attacks. Other benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam (Klonopin ® ) and lorazepam (Ativan ® ), are prescribed for short-term treatment of sleep disorders. Although the various classes of CNS depressants work differently, they all produce a beneficial drowsy or calming effect in individuals suffering from sleep disorders or anxiety. If these drugs are used over a long period of time, the body develops tolerance, and larger doses a
