'amidosulphonal' originates from the combination of 'amido-' and 'sulphonal', where 'amido-' refers to the presence of an amino group and 'sulphonal' is a type of sulfone used in sedatives.

'amidosulphonal' was developed in the late 19th century as a derivative of 'sulphonal', which was used as a sedative.

Initially, it was used as a sedative and hypnotic, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.