The effects of sedatives can last anywhere from a couple of hours to more than a day. Generally, sedatives cause physical depression, muscular relaxation and sedation; due to the varying types of sedatives, there is a range of other effects depending on which substance has been taken.
What are the side effects of sedatives?
Some common side effects of conscious sedation may last for a few hours after the procedure, including:
- drowsiness.
- feelings of heaviness or sluggishness.
- loss of memory of what happened during the procedure (amnesia)
- slow reflexes.
- low blood pressure.
- headache.
- feeling sick.
Are sedatives used for depression?
It has been suggested that treatment of anxiety in depression with sedative/hypnotic agents, especially benzodiazepines, in the first several weeks may decrease suicide risk. Sedative/hypnotic agents also have depressant and disinhibitory properties which might increase suicide risk, however.
