A type of benzodiazepine drug used as a sleeping drug to treat insomnia. The drug’s effects may persist the following day; and prolonged use may result in dependence.
n. a benzodiazepine drug used for the short-term relief of insomnia and sleep disturbances (see hypnotic). It sometimes causes morning drowsiness, dizziness, and muscle incoordination.
(soporific) n. a drug that produces sleep by depressing brain function. Hypnotics include benzodiazepines (such as *loprazolam, *nitrazepam, and *temazepam) and drugs that act at benzodiazepine receptor sites, such as zaleplon, zolpidem, and zopiclone. Hypnotics are used for the short-term treatment of insomnia and sleep disturbances. Some of them (e.g. nitrazepam, *flurazepam) may cause hangover effects in the morning.... hypnotic
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