Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants: Types & Examples

Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants are substances that slow down the activity of the CNS. Examples of CNS depressants include:

- Alcohol (ethanol)

- Barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital, secobarbital)

- Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam)

- Opioids (e.g., morphine, heroin, oxycodone)

- Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics (e.g., zolpidem, eszopiclone)

- Antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, olanzapine)

- Antidepressants (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

- Anticonvulsants (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine)

- Muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol)

- General anesthetics (e.g., propofol, sevoflurane)