Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs

Abstract

ALTHOUGH nearly all sedative-hypnotic needs can be satisfied by agents already discussed, there continues to be an active search for newer substances. This is prompted by the hope that more effective, smoother-acting, nonaddicting and less toxic agents can be found. Certainly, such an effort should be encouraged, and undoubtedly better substances will be developed. However, a word of caution should be given here. Almost any drug that is capable of altering mental processes — whether by stimulation, depression or distortion — is almost certainly inherently capable of producing addiction. The degree may vary from slight, as in the xanthines, to . . .