Question

Which class of drugs is used in sleeping pills
    (A) Antipyretics
    (B) Tranquilizers
    (C) Anaesthetic
    (D) Antimicrobial

Answer 1

Hint: The class of drugs which sleeping pills belong to are also used to reduce fear, anxiety and other mental related disturbances. Barbiturates is an example of this class of drugs. They act on the nervous system.

Complete step by step solution:
   - As we know drugs are the chemical substances that are used to cure, prevent or diagnose a disease. Drugs can be classified into several categories based on the action of drugs such as analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics, antivirals etc.
   - In the given question we are asked to find a class of drugs that are used in sleeping pills. Sleeping pills are a class of psychoactive drugs whose primary function is to induce sleep and also used for the treatment of insomnia which is a condition of sleeplessness.
  - The main purpose of sleeping pills is to initiate, sustain, or lengthen the sleep.
  - Let's see the given options. First one is antipyretics. Antipyretics are the class of drugs that are used to lower the temperature and thus it is used against fever. Paracetamol is one of the best examples of antipyretics.
 - Anaesthetics are the drugs that are used to cause a reversible loss of sensation. They are generally used to produce a loss of consciousness by descending depression of the central nervous system.
  - Antimicrobial drugs are used against microorganisms. Penicillin and erythromycin are examples of antimicrobial drugs.
 - The remaining option is tranquilizers. Tranquilizers are used to reduce anxiety, fear and related states of mental disturbances. They are also used as sleep inducing drugs.
 - The example of drugs that are used to treat sleeplessness belongs to non-benzodiazepine hypnotics such as zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon etc.


Therefore, the answer is option (B). Tranquilizers are the class of drugs that are used in sleeping pills.

Note: There might be a confusion between the options anaesthetic drugs and tranquilizers since both can induce a state of unconsciousness. Anaesthetics are used for abolishing the sensation of pain in cases like surgical operations. Tranquilizers are milder than this. They slow down the body's functions, thought processes etc.