Barbiturate

Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, and by virtue of this they produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to anesthesia. Some are also used as anticonvulsants.

Medical uses

Today barbiturates are infrequently used as anticonvulsants and for the induction of anesthesia. Benzodiazepines were made as barbiturate alternatives and as such are more widely used and prescribed today than the barbiturate drugs.

Related Topics:
Anesthesia - Benzodiazepine

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These barbiturates are available in the U.S.:

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• Amobarbital (Sodium Amytal; hypnotic)
• Aprobarbital (hypnotic)
• Butabarbital (hypnotic)
• Butalbital (Fiorinal; sedative)
• Hexobarbital (Sombulex; hypnotic/anesthetic)
• Mephobarbital (antianxiety)
• Pentobarbital (Nembutal; hypnotic)
• Phenobarbital (Luminal; hypnotic, sedative, anticonvulsant)
• Secobarbital (Seconal; hypnotic)
• Sodium thiopental
• Talbutal (Lotusate; hypnotic)
• Thiobarbital (anesthetic)

Sometimes two or more barbiturates are combined in a single tablet or capsule; perhaps the most well-known of these combinations is Tuinal, which consists of amobarbital and secobarbital in equal proportions.

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