Barbiturates are an older version of currently used tranquillizers or sedatives that act by depressing

the nervous system. These are one of the oldest sedatives that are in use. They are prescribed to patients
with sleep disorders and other mental illnesses to calm them down and put them to sleep.

Due to their side effects and increased risk of dependence and abuse and also the large number of
fatal accidents that result due to their misuse they are largely replaced by safer agents called
tranquillizers.

Barbiturates are rarely prescribed these days due to their safety concerns. They are prescribed for
certain indications. Patients may take these drugs in the form of capsules with the powder form of the drug
within them.

Effects of barbiturates
In small doses, barbiturates relieve insomnia or difficulty in sleeping. They relieve anxiety and tension.
There may be a hangover or residual sleepiness. Users may appear drunk and experience loss of balance
and co-ordination.

Overdose
The normal therapeutic dose range is small and thus there is a high risk of overdose. Many persons may
overdose barbiturates without being aware. Overdose carries the risk of serious side effects and
depression of the respiratory center that may cause death. Barbiturates also interact with alcohol and
drugs of abuse like heroin in a life threatening manner.

Side effects
Over long term use there is a risk of severe side effects. Barbiturates are highly addictive and dependence
may develop over long term use. Those who are long term users are also at risk of pneumonia and
bronchitis. With long term use there is risk of developing extreme mood swings, bouts of depression,
impaired memory, judgement, coordination, altered sleep schedules and insomnia and intense weakness
and fatigue.

Types of barbituate
Commonly used barbiturates include:-
Amylobarbitone
Methyl phenobarbitone
Pentobarbitone
Butobarbitone
Phenobarbitone
Quinalbarbitone
Barbiturates are used for:-
Pentobarbitone or thiopentone is used in induction of general anesthesia
Phenobarbitone and Pentobarbitone is used in some cases of epilepsy
Sedation and hypnosis to calm the patient and induce sleep

On the 27th of July, 1991, a woman from New York died due to the overdose intake of barbiturates
prescribed to her for her leukemia. The jury did not indict her doctor because her doctor prescribed her the
right amount of pills to take and also warned her it would kill her if she took plenty of it. The woman took a
plenty amount of barbiturates which lead her to committing suicide.

Sources
1. http://www.duc.auburn.edu/~deruija/GABA_Barbiturates2002.pdf
2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2424120/
3. http://www.tropiart.com/i_home/drugs/Barbiturates.pdf
4. http://www.md.rcm.upr.edu/publications/sidney_kaye/Barbiturate_Poisoning.pdf
5. http://www.homehealth-uk.com/medical/professional_drugtests_barbiturates.htm
6. http://www.articles.latimes.com/1991-07-27/news/mn-212_1_leukemia-patient