They are also the most abused by the public. Drugs used to treat anxiety and tension are Valium, Xanax, Ativan and Tranxene. Drugs used for sleeping are Dalmane, Resotril and Halcion. Possible side effects include drowsiness, light-headedness and poor coordination. Overuse of these drugs can lead to sleeplessness, respiratory difficulties, coma and even death.
Barbiturates are less commonly prescribed medications used to treat anxiety and insomnia.
If improperly used, these drugs can cause an individual to feel depressed or experience respiratory difficulties. Some examples are phenobarbital, Seconal and Nembutal. Non-barbiturates include Doriden, Placidyl and Chloral Hydrate. Cough and Cold Preparations. Colds are caused by viruses and typically last 7 to 10 days.