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sedative

(Science: pharmacology) A medication with tranquilising properties. most sedatives (tranquillisers) can also promote sleep. Overdosage of a sedative medication can lead to dangerous respiratory depression (slowed breathing). A large group of medications with sedative effects are the benzodiazepines.

Examples include: diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, alprazolam, clonazepam, temazepam, lorazepam, flurazepam, oxazepam, clorazepate and triazolam.

Origin: L. Sedativus