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).
Theresa O'Young, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacist
Steven C. Schachter, MD - Neurology
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