A sedative is a depressant that lowers excitement and irritability. Doctors use sedatives to prevent nervous patients from accidentally hurting themselves or the doctor. They are also used in tranquilizer guns.
There are different kinds of sedatives:
- Drugs that make people fall asleep.
- Drugs that help people keep sleeping (not to wake up during the night).
- Drugs that calm people down, without making them sleep.
Most sedatives act very slowly, usually in 10-15 minutes. Doctors must know a patient's weight and medical history in order give them the sedatives which are best for them.