Hypnotic drugs are a class of drugs that induce sleep, used in the treatment of severe insomnia. A psychoactive drug or psychotropic substance is a chemical that alters brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness, or behaviour. ... In an ideal situation, sleep should be undisturbed and experienced in the same room every night Sleep is the regular state of natural rest observed in all mammals, birds and fish. ... It has been suggested that Primary insomnia be merged into this article or section. ...

These drugs include barbiturates, benzodiazepines, zolpidem, zopiclone, eszopiclone, chloral hydrate, chlormethiazole or the antihistamines doxylamine, promethazine, and diphenhydramine. Alcohol is often tried as a hypnotic drug but it is not particularly effective. Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia. ... The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. ... Zolpidem is a prescription drug used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (sleeping pill). ... Zopiclone (trade names: Imovane™ and Zimovane™) is a novel hypnotic agent used in the treatment of insomnia. ... Eszopiclone is a nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic agent used as a medication in treatment of insomnia. ... Chloral hydrate is a sedative and hypnotic drug, also known as trichloroacetaldehyde monohydrate, 2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-ethanediol, and the tradenames Aquachloral, Novo-Chlorhydrate, Somnos, Noctec, and Somnote. ... Chlormethiazole is a sedative and hypnotic that is widely used in treating and preventing symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal. ... An antihistamine is a drug which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the histamine receptor. ... Doxylamine succinate is a highly sedating antihistamine used by itself as a short-term sleep aid, in combination with other drugs as a night-time cold and allergy relief drug, and a preparation is prescribed in combination with Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) to prevent morning sickness in pregnant women. ... // General Remarks and Pharmacology Promethazine (sold as Phenergan and Promethegan) is a first-generation H1 receptor antagonist (antihistamine) and anti-nausea medication available by prescription in the United States, and over-the-counter in the United Kingdom Switzerland Australia, South Africa, new Zealand and many other countries. ... Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (trade name Benadryl®, or Dimedrol outside the US) is an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine and sedative. ... This article has been identified as possibly containing errors. ...