Alphenal
Alphenal
Alphenal (pronounced al-FEN-al) is a sedative and hypnotic drug from the class of barbiturates. It was primarily used in the mid-20th century as a treatment for insomnia and anxiety but has since been replaced by safer and more effective medications.
Etymology
The term "Alphenal" is derived from the chemical name alpha-phenyl-ethyl-malonic acid, which describes its chemical structure.
Pharmacology
Alphenal, like other barbiturates, works by increasing the activity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it reduces brain activity. This results in a calming effect, which can help to induce sleep and reduce anxiety.
Related Terms
- Barbiturate: A class of drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. They are often used for their sedative, hypnotic, and anesthetic effects.
- Sedative: A substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement.
- Hypnotic: A type of drug that induces sleep.
- Insomnia: A sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.
- Anxiety: A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities.
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): A naturally occurring amino acid that works as a neurotransmitter in your brain.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Alphenal
- Wikipedia's article - Alphenal
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski