| sedative | <pharmacology> A medication with tranquilising properties. most sedatives (tranquillisers) can also promote sleep. Overdosage of a sedative medication can lead to dangerous respiratory depression (slowed breathing). A large group of medications with sedative effects are the benzodiazepines. Examples include: diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, alprazolam, clonazepam, temazepam, lorazepam, flurazepam, oxazepam, clorazepate and triazolam. Origin: L. Sedativus (09 Oct 1997) |
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| expectorant | 1. Promoting the ejection, by spitting, of mucus or other fluids from the lungs and trachea. 2. <pharmacology> An agent that promotes the ejection of mucus or exudate from the lungs, bronchi and trachea, sometimes extended to all remedies that quiet cough (antitussives). Origin: L. Pectus = breast (18 Nov 1997) |