CNS depression

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Central Nervous System depression or CNS depression refers to physiological depression of the central nervous system, which can result in decreased rate of breathing, decreased heart rate, decreased alertness due to loss of consciousness leading to coma and possible death. Death caused by CNS depression is most frequently caused by that of a drug overdose.

CNS depression may be caused by CNS depressants including alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, general anesthetics, and anticonvulsants used to treat mental illness and epilepsy such as valproate semisodium especially when two such drugs are mixed.