1.
sedative; tranquilizer; calming agent
A medication that induces calm or sleep by reducing nervous system activity.
医者が鎮静剤を投与した。
The doctor administered a sedative.
手術前に鎮静剤を打たれて眠くなった。
I became sleepy after being given a sedative before surgery.
興奮した患者を落ち着かせるために鎮静剤が使われることがある。
Sedatives are sometimes used to calm an agitated patient.
Composed of 鎮静 (calming, sedation) + 剤 (agent, medicine). Used in medical contexts for medications that reduce anxiety, induce sleep, or calm agitated patients. Not to be confused with pain medication or anesthesia, which have different purposes.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 鎮静剤を投与する — administer a sedative
- 鎮静剤を打つ — give a sedative injection
- 鎮静剤の効果 — effect of the sedative
- 鎮静剤が効く — the sedative takes effect
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 鎮痛剤 — painkiller, analgesic; reduces pain rather than inducing calm
- 睡眠薬 — sleeping pill; specifically induces sleep, while 鎮静剤 primarily calms
- 麻酔 — anesthesia; eliminates sensation entirely, used for surgical procedures