Barbiturates act by depressing the activity of the central nervous system.
They were widely prescribed for medical purposes early in the 20th century,
although they have been mostly replaced by tranquilizers. Most barbiturates
are white powders that are sold in colored capsules or tablets. They also
can be dissolved and swallowed in liquid form, injected intravenously, or
used as suppositories. Barbiturates can easily cause physical and psychological
dependence. Some of the more common barbiturates are: amobarbital (Amytal),
butabarbital (Butisol), pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal),
secobarbital (Seconal), thiopental (Pentothal), and secobarbital-amobarbital
combinations (Tuinal).
In small doses, barbiturates produce muscle relaxation, a sense of peacefulness, and mild euphoria. Other effects include: dizziness, lethargy, drowsiness, chest pain, headache, sore throat, skin rash, mild incoordination, mild impairment of thinking and short-term memory, mild release of emotional inhibition, worsening of pre-existing pain, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain.
Moderate doses produce an increase in the same symptoms caused by small doses. In addition, a moderate dose may cause: oversedation and confusion, slurred speech, confused sensory impression, drop in blood pressure and heart rate, respiratory depression, and induced sleep.
Overdoses of barbiturates can produce additional effects, including: slow, shallow, and irregular breathing; constriction of pupils, followed by unchanging dilation; impaired reflexes, kidney failure, low body temperature, very low blood pressure, weak pulse, coma, and death by respiratory failure.
Long term effects include anxiety, restlessness, depression, chronic fatigue, slurred speech, incoordination, visual disturbances, vertigo, reduced sex drive and impotence, menstrual irregularities, respiratory disorders, and (rarely) psychotic episodes. Chronic users may suffer from impaired memory, judgment, and thinking; hostility, depression, and mood swings, impaired fine motor skills, reduced attention span, and worsening of preexisting emotional disorders. In pregnant women, barbiturates can harm the developing fetus, producing symptoms in the baby such as birth defects, lowered intelligence, and brain tumors.
Adapted from: "Barbiturates," in Mind-altering drugs: A
guide to the history, uses and effects of psychocative drugs (2nd ed.).
Madison, WI: Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources, 1998.
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