Barbiturates

By Medicover Hospitals / 15 Feb 2021
Home | Medicine | Barbiturates

What is Barbiturates?

Barbiturates are a central nervous depressant. They reduce nerve activity that causes muscle relaxation. They may reduce heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. All barbiturates affect gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter (chemical) used by the nerves to communicate with each other. Barbiturates have a depressive effect on the brain. They increase the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a brain chemical that produces a sedative effect.

Barbiturates are a type of depressant or sedative drug. They are an old type of drug used to relax the body and help people sleep. It is a type of drug known as benzodiazepines has gradually replaced barbiturates for both medical and recreational use, although benzodiazepines also have a high risk of physical dependence and other adverse effects.

1. Barbiturates Uses
2. Barbiturates Side effects
3. Dosage
4. Barbiturates vs Benzodiazepines
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Citations

Barbiturates Uses:

Barbiturates are occasionally used by the doctors for treating the following conditions:

• Seizure disorder (Epilepsy)
• Increased pressure in the skull
• Severe trauma in the skull

Barbiturates are also used as the form of anesthetic and the off-label uses include the treatment of:

• Migraines
• Jaundice
• Trauma

Barbiturates Side effects

Some of the common side effects of Barbiturates are:

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Low Blood Pressure
• Nausea
• Sedation
• Skin Rash

Some of the serious side effects of Barbiturates are:

• Slow breathless
• Fainting
• Hallucinations
• Temporary breathing cessation

Some of the rare side effects of Barbiturates are:

• Agranulocytosis
• Erythroderma
• Liver Injury
• Megaloblastic Anemia
• Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Barbiturates if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.

A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Barbiturates side effects.

How Barbiturates should be taken?

Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic, a type of central nervous system (CNS) depressant used to treat insomnia, seizures, and headaches. Barbiturates could also be used for pre-operative sedation in a hospital setting. Barbiturates are available under the following brand names: amobarbital, secobarbital, butabarbital, pentobarbital, belladonna and phenobarbital, butalbital/acetaminophen/caffeine, and butalbital/aspirin/caffeine.

Dosages of Barbiturates<

Amobarbital (Amytal)

• Powder for injection: 500 mg

Secobarbital (Seconal)

• Capsule: 500 mg

Butabarbital (Butisol)

• Tablets: 30 mg and 50 mg
• Oral solution: 30 mg/ 5 mL

Missed Dose

Missing one or two-dose of Barbiturates won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.

Overdose

Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Barbiturates tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

Interactions

If the doctor has directed you to use this medicine, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before first checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist. Barbiturates are used with caution with certain drugs because they accelerate the breakdown of these drugs, which leads to reduced efficacy. Examples of these drugs that interact with barbiturates include: Atazanavir, Boceprevir, Lurassidone and Ranolazine

Storage

Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.

Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).

Before taking Barbiturates consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Barbiturates rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Barbiturates.

Barbiturates Vs Benzodiazepines

Barbiturates	Benzodiazepines
Barbiturates are a central nervous depressant. They reduce nerve activity that causes muscle relaxation. They may reduce heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.	Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs which can treat a range of conditions. Doctors often prescribe it to treat anxiety, seizures, and insomnia.
Barbiturates are occasionally used by the doctors for treating the following conditions: -Seizure disorder (Epilepsy) -Increased pressure in the skull -Severe trauma in the skull	Benzodiazepines affect the activity of neurons that cause stress and anxiety reactions. The medication is used for the treatment for: -Insomnia -Generalized disorder of anxiety -Disorder of social anxiety -Convulsions, such as epilepsy -Disorder of Panic
Some of the common side effects of Barbiturates are: -Drowsiness -Headache -Low Blood Pressure -Nausea	Some of the common side effects of Benzodiazepines are: -Sedation -Dizziness -Weakness -Unsteadiness