Before benzodiazepines, which class of drugs was the hypnotic of choice?

Benzodiazepines, which are widely used for their sedative and anxiolytic effects, gained prominence for their safety profile and lower risk of overdose compared to earlier hypnotics. Prior to the introduction of benzodiazepines, barbiturates were the primary class of drugs used as hypnotics.

Barbiturates act as central nervous system depressants and are effective for inducing sleep due to their ability to enhance the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor. However, barbiturates carry a significant risk of dependence, tolerance, and overdose, which posed serious safety concerns. This led to the gradual shift in preference towards benzodiazepines, which offer a better therapeutic window with fewer side effects and a lower potential for lethal overdose.

The other options are not suited as the hypnotic of choice before benzodiazepines. Non-benzodiazepine sedatives, while effective, were developed after benzodiazepines and thus would not be relevant in the context of this question. Antidepressants generally target mood disorders and are not primarily used as hypnotics. Opioids, while they can have sedative effects, are primarily used for pain management and carry a