What Are Barbiturates? Examples, Side Effects, Definition

Barbiturates are a class of sedative-hypnotic drug that acts as a central nervous system depressants. This form of intravenous abuse can be more noticeable due to larger “track marks.” They may also be combined with other medications to treat migraines. These medications are used for short term sleeping problems and sometimes as a sedative paired with anesthetic during hospitalization for inpatient surgery.

barbiturate

Most individuals who abuse barbiturates take the drug in pill form. The sedative effects of ultra short-acting barbiturates are almost immediate and render the individual unconscious for 5 to 25 minutes, on average. Listing barbiturates and other prescription drugs from strongest to weakest is a little complex, but brand name barbiturates can generally be listed from strongest to weakest in the following order.

The margin between a regular dose and a deadly dose is extremely narrow, making overdose a serious risk for anyone using these drugs. This type of overdose is essentially drug poisoning and is sometimes called barbiturate toxicity. There is no antidote to a barbiturate overdose, and reversing the effects of a barbiturate overdose are quite difficult. The weakest could be considered the long acting barbiturates because they take an hour to take effect and typically do not cause unconsciousness. Ultra short acting barbiturates, in general, could be considered the strongest barbiturates, as they take effect quickly and result in unconsciousness. These intermediate-acting barbiturates take about an hour to reach therapeutic levels and typically maintain effectiveness for six to eight hours.

Even in inpatient settings, the development of tolerance is still a problem, as dangerous and unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can result when the drug is stopped after dependence has developed. The pharmacological treatment of barbiturate withdrawal is an extended process often consisting of converting the patient to a long-acting benzodiazepine (i.e. Valium), followed by slowly tapering off the benzodiazepine. Since this first article, different kind of receptors were designed, as well as different barbiturates and cyanurates, not for their efficiencies as drugs but for applications in supramolecular chemistry, in the conception of materials and molecular devices. They are effective when used medically as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants, but have physical and psychological addiction potential as well as overdose potential among other possible adverse effects. Within a professional detox setting, medical professionals closely monitor and manage withdrawal symptoms, ensuring patient safety. Recovery from barbiturate addiction typically begins with withdrawal and detoxification.

Long-Acting Barbiturates

Barbiturate withdrawal is more severe than withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines, making medical care essential. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports that nearly 60% of barbiturate-related overdoses involve multiple substances, further complicating the treatment and prognosis of affected individuals. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), nearly 30% of individuals with barbiturate dependence report symptoms of major depressive disorder. Conditions that commonly co-occur with barbiturate use are depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, particularly polysubstance abuse.

Barbiturate Misuse Medical Treatment

Being informed about the uses, effects, and potential dangers of barbiturates enables people to make informed decisions about their health. Because withdrawal from barbiturates can be severe, medically monitored detox is highly recommended . As tolerance develops, people may increase their dosage to achieve the same effects, potentially leading to dependence, withdrawal, and overdose. Despite FDA approvals, barbiturates still present a risk when misused outside their intended medical purposes.

One of the most important advantages of barbiturates is how long they last. There are several barbiturates available worldwide, but some of these aren’t available in certain countries. However, many of these drugs still see widespread use for specific conditions. Barbiturates aren’t as common as in years past because newer drugs have largely taken their place. While barbiturates are useful for the above listed, some of these uses are less common in certain countries. In years past, barbiturates were a common part of general anesthesia in surgeries.

Barbiturates have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines (“Z-drugs”) in routine medical practice, particularly in the treatment of anxiety disorders and insomnia, because of the significantly lower risk of overdose, and the lack of an antidote for barbiturate overdose. While barbiturates once stood at the forefront of medical treatment, their risks, including the potential for dependence and addiction, prompted a shift toward safer alternatives. The first step in treatment options for barbiturate addiction is medically supervised detoxification, which ensures the safe management of withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures and delirium, through the use of substitute medications and round-the-clock monitoring.

Common side effects

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This is not a common practice anymore, however, owing to the dangers of long-term use of barbiturates; they have been replaced by the benzodiazepines and Z-drug such as zolpidem, zaleplon and eszopiclone for sleep. The middle two classes of barbiturates are often combined under the title Barbiturate Withdrawal Case “short/intermediate-acting.” These barbiturates are also employed for anesthetic purposes, and are also sometimes prescribed for anxiety or insomnia. The direct gating or opening of the chloride ion channel is the reason for the increased toxicity of barbiturates compared to benzodiazepines in overdose.

• However, in high doses the inhibitory effects of barbiturates can cause drowsiness, while also slowing a person’s breathing and heart rate to dangerous levels.
• Barbiturates carry a high risk of misuse, abuse, and addiction due to their rapid tolerance development and strong physical dependence potential.
• Behavioral signs such as secretive actions, neglecting responsibilities, and using barbiturates without a prescription are also common indicators of substance abuse.

Treatment For Barbiturate Abuse Or Addiction

Among them, methohexital poses risks of airway obstruction, vocal cord spasms that affect breathing, and respiratory depression. Given their predictable ability to calm the nervous system quickly, they became a standard prescription for a variety of health concerns . This results in effects ranging from mild relaxation to deep anesthesia, depending on the dose. However, thanks to new alternatives with fewer side effects, their use has become less common in recent years.

What are examples of barbiturates available in the U.S.?

The street names for barbiturates are Downers, Barbs, Yellow Jackets, Blue Devils, and Reds. From a safety perspective, benzodiazepines exhibit a “ceiling effect,” meaning their impact on respiratory depression plateaus, reducing the risk of fatal overdose. The action mechanism of barbiturates is the enhancement of GABA activity in the brain, leading to sedation and suppression of central nervous system (CNS) activity. However, they are still misused recreationally, in combination with alcohol or opioids, which increases the risk of overdose.

What Are the Street Names of Barbiturates?

However, barbiturates are still used as anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital and primidone) and general anesthetics (e.g., sodium thiopental). Barbituratesa are a class of depressant drugs that are chemically derived from barbituric acid. Through reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities, we support greater self-understanding, authentic connection, and healthier lives. We meet mental health challenges by educating, supporting, and empowering.

Which drugs are barbiturates?

A study published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2023) reported that barbiturate misuse contributes to nearly 20,000 emergency department visits annually in the United States, with respiratory depression and overdose being the most prevalent complications. The side effects of barbiturates are drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, respiratory depression, and impaired coordination. As a result, the clinical use of barbiturates today is primarily limited to specific cases, such as the treatment of refractory epilepsy or as induction agents in anesthesia when other options are unsuitable. Barbiturates cause both physical and psychological dependence, with withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening, including seizures and delirium. Today, their medical use is limited to specific circumstances where alternatives are ineffective, making barbiturates far less common in modern prescription practices.

• This level of risk highlights the necessity of medically supervised detoxification, where symptoms are managed with medications and continuous monitoring to prevent life-threatening complications.
• It’s a short-acting drug, starting to have an effect in 10 to 15 minutes, but only lasting three to four hours.
• We pride ourselves on carefully selecting men and women who are not only thoroughly informed and knowledgeable about addiction, but also those who have personally experienced the trials and blessings of recovery themselves.
• Denial of a barbiturate to the habitual user may precipitate a withdrawal syndrome that is indicative of physiological dependence on the drug.

Barbiturates are a group of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics. MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects.