Barbiturates

An older class of medications, originally developed to treat seizure disorders, anxiety, and insomnia, that depress the activities of the central nervous system (cns). These medications are seldom used in clinical practice today because of their lethality in overdose and their high likelihood for abuse and dependence.

Drugs that depress the activities of the central nervous system; primarily used for sedation or treatment of convulsive disorders.

A class of sedative‐hypnotic drugs derived from barbituric acid, differing primarily in lipid solubility and hypnotic efficacy.

Depressant drugs developed to treat insomnia and nervousness.

Sedatives that can be habit forming if misused.

Drug (e.g., phenobarbital) that depresses brain and spinal cord activity. These agents are used to treat convulsions and, less commonly, to produce sedation. Barbiturates are potentially habit-forming.

A class of sedative drugs. Barbiturate blood levels are measured in patients who have taken overdoses either accidentally, to abuse drugs, or intentionally, to commit suicide.

Central nervous system (CNS) depressant drugs. Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital or secobarbital act on the brain and CNS to induce drowsiness. Barbiturates can be used to control seizures in diseases such as epilepsy, and they are sometimes used to treat insomnia for short periods. Some short-acting barbiturates are used as general anesthetics.

Any of a group of drugs, derives from barbituric acid, that depress activity of the central nervous system. Most barbiturates, including amobarbital and pentobarbital, are taken as sleeping pills. Very slow-acting barbiturates (such as phenobarbital) are used as sedatives and to control epilepsy; those with a rapid and short-lived effect (such as ‘thiopental) are injected as anesthetics. Because they produce tolerance and psychological and physical dependence, have serious toxic side-effects, and can be fatal following large overdosage, barbiturates have been largely replaced in clinical use by safer drugs. The use of barbiturates with alcohol should be avoided since these drugs reinforce each other, producing serious effects.

A group of drugs which depress the central nervous system by inhibiting the transmission of impulses between neurons. Thus they cause drowsiness or unconsciousness (depending on dose), reduce the cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen, and depress respiration. Their use as sedatives and hypnotics has largely been superseded by more modern drugs which are safer and more effective. Some members of this group of drugs — for instance, phenobarbitone — have selective anticonvulsant properties and are used in the treatment of grand mal convulsions and status epilepticus. The short-acting drugs thiopentone and methohexitone are widely used to induce general anaesthesia.

A group of organic compounds derived from barbituric acid (e.g., amobarbital, phenobarbital, secobarbital) that are used to treat and prevent convulsions, relieve anxiety, or aid sleep. Side effects include drowsiness, depressed respirations, decreased blood pressure, and decreased body temperature. These drugs can also cause tolerance and dependence.

A substance derived from barbituric acid, possessing depressant properties that affect the central nervous system. Such compounds are commonly employed as agents for inducing tranquility and hypnosis.

A category of medications that induce a decrease in respiration rate, lower body temperature, and reduce blood pressure. These medications have the potential for addiction and are primarily utilized for anesthesia purposes.