Barbiturates are drugs that depress the central nervous system.
They are used for therapeutic applications for hypnotics,
anticonvulsants and sedatives. This drug is taken orally as
capsules or tablets. The effects resemble those of alcohol
intoxication. Repeated use of barbiturates can lead to tolerance
and physical dependency. Once a popular drug of abuse,
barbiturates use has declined in recent years, due to doctors
not prescribing the drug as often.
Short acting Barbiturates taken
at 400mg/day for 2-3 months produces a clinically significant
degree of physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms experienced
during periods of drug abstinence can be severe enough to cause
death. Only a small amount (less than 5%) of most Barbiturates
are excreted unaltered in urine.
