Secobarbital

Secobarbital is a Barbiturate and is available as either a free acid or a sodium salt. The free acid is a white amorphous powder that slightly soluble in water and very soluble in ethanol. The salt is a white hygroscopic powder that is soluble in water and ethanol. The main brand name is Seconal.

Related Topics:
Barbiturate - Acid - Sodium - Salt - Amorphous - Hygroscopic

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Its main legitimate medical uses are for seizures, tension relief (as before surgery), and as a temporary sleep aid. Secobarbital is fairly addictive, and withdrawal symptoms can occur when a continual use is abruptly ended.

Related Topics:
Seizure - Addictive - Withdrawal

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As a prescription medication, it became a drug of abuse in the 1960s and 1970s. Seconal acquired the nickname "reds" from its users, as it was packaged in red capsules. Another nickname was "dolls", and this was partly responsible for the title of Jacqueline Susann's novel Valley of the Dolls, whose main characters use (and abuse) Seconal and other such drugs.

Related Topics:
1960s - 1970s - Jacqueline Susann - Valley of the Dolls

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