What is the classification of drugs used to induce sleep?

The classification of drugs used to induce sleep is known as hypnotics. Hypnotics are specifically designed to facilitate sleep and manage insomnia, making them a vital category in the treatment of sleep disorders. They work by enhancing the action of neurotransmitters in the brain that promote relaxation and sleep.

Barbiturates, while they do have sedative effects and can induce sleep, are a specific subgroup of hypnotics and are less commonly used today due to their potential for abuse and dependence. Stimulants, on the other hand, are substances that increase alertness and energy, which is the opposite of inducing sleep. Analgesics are pain relievers and do not primarily function to induce sleep, although some may have sedative properties as a secondary effect. Therefore, hypnotics is the most accurate and precise classification for drugs intended to promote sleep.