Sedative
From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change
A sleeping pill (people also call it sedative) is a drug that people take to help them sleep. It will relax them, and make them very calm.
There are different kinds of sedatives:
- Pills that help people fall asleep.
- Pills that help people keep sleeping (not to wake up during the night).
- Pills that calm people down, without making them sleep.
Some sedatives can act very fast, like in 10-15 minutes. Those who consider taking sedatives should talk with their doctor, who can give them the sedatives which are best for them.
Most sedatives are highly addictive, so people need a prescription from their doctor to get sedatives. If they take sleeping pills for a longer time, they can get addicted. Getting rid of the addiction is very hard to do. Addiction means that people who take the drug cannot stop taking it, without bad consequences (as described below). It's like people who want to stop smoking, but who cannot.
People who have taken sedatives may seem dull, and sleepy. Since sleeping pills act on their ability to react, those who have taken such pills should not do the following:
- Operate any machines
- Drive a car
- Drink alcohol (This may make the effect of the pill bigger.)
Some people are addicted to sedatives. When they stop taking the sedatives, they may experience the following
Some addictions can also be psychological; when the users stop taking the drug, they may feel depressed.
