A barbiturate is a type of sedative drug that depresses the central nervous system. Barbiturates are effective as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants, but they have the potential for physical and psychological addiction, as well as overdose, among other side effects.
Advertisement
Because of the significantly lower risk of addiction and overdose, as well as the lack of an antidote for barbiturate overdose, benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines have largely replaced them in routine medical practice, particularly in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia.
Advertisement

What is an example of a barbiturate?
Examples of Barbiturate includes; Amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), belladonna and phenobarbital (Donnatal), butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine (Esgic, Fioricet), and butalbital/aspirin/caffeine (Esgic, Fioricet) (Fiorinal Ascomp, Fortabs).
What is the barbiturate drugs used for?
Barbiturates were first used in medicine in the early 1900s and gained popularity as a treatment for anxiety, insomnia, and seizure disorders in the 1960s and 1970s.
Barbiturates are extremely dangerous because it is difficult to predict the correct dose. Even a minor overdose can result in coma or death. Barbiturates are also addictive and can result in a potentially fatal withdrawal syndrome.


Leave a Reply