Barbiturates
Barbiturate medications are used to relieve anxiety, control seizures, or produce a sleeplike state. Barbiturates slow breathing, lower blood pressure and body temperature, and slow thought processes and reaction times.
Frequent or long-term use of barbiturates may make a person dependent on them. In the past, barbiturates were used to treat insomnia; however, barbiturates are no longer recommended as sleeping aids because of the potential for dependence.
Common barbiturates include phenobarbital, pentobarbital (Nembutal), and secobarbital (Seconal).
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Theresa O'Young, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology |
| Last Updated | October 29, 2007 |
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
October 29, 2007
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