The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia Encyclopedia World Factbook Columbia Gazetteer American Heritage Coll. Barbiturates , sedatives , alcohol, and meprobamate are all depressants.
Depressants have various modes of action and effects.
Depressants also reduce the rate and force of contraction of the heart and are used in the treatment of some forms of heart disease . Typically, overdosage results in confusion, coma, and convulsions. In many cases, the effects of one depressant are intensified if another depressant is taken at the same time, e.g., if barbiturates are taken with alcohol. Because of their potential for abuse, there are now strict regulations regarding the dispensing of many depressant drugs. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.