Barbiturate Overdose Symptoms
Table of Contents
Learn More About Ripple Ranch Recovery Center
Our team is standing by to discuss your situation and options. Your call is fully confidential, and no obligation is required.
Call Us 24/7
Learn More About Ripple Ranch Recovery Center
Our team is standing by to discuss your situation and options. Your call is fully confidential, and no obligation is required.
What Are Barbiturates?
Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs generally used to induce a sense of calmness and relaxation in the central nervous system. Ordinarily, barbiturates can be safely used in clinical treatments. Still, when abused or taken in excess, they can quickly lead to barbiturate overdose or acute barbiturate poisoning.
Learn More About Ripple Ranch Recovery Center
Our team is standing by to discuss your situation and options. Your call is fully confidential, and no obligation is required.
Call Us 24/7
Learn More About Ripple Ranch Recovery Center
Our team is standing by to discuss your situation and options. Your call is fully confidential, and no obligation is required.
How Do Barbiturates Work?
Barbiturates work by suppressing nerve impulses in the central nervous system. This happens due to an increase in the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) induced by the ingestion of barbiturate drugs.
What Are Barbiturates Used For?
- Seizures and Epilepsy: Barbiturates drugs effectively treat seizures and epileptic disorders. In addition, research has shown minimal side effects in using barbiturates for seizures.1
- Anxiety: When barbiturates medications are administered in low doses, they have therapeutic effects on anxiety and tension. This is due to the sedative effects of barbiturates on the central nervous system.
- Insomnia: Insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. Barbiturates medications calm the central nervous system, which invariably induces sleep.
- Pre-Anesthesia: Barbiturates, such as thiopental and thiamylal, are commonly used by doctors for anesthesia in patients. Anesthesia is integral during surgeries and other related medical procedures.
- Euthanasia: In a clinical setting, large doses of barbiturates are administered to terminally ill patients to cause death. Euthanasia is also performed on pets to reduce suffering towards the end of their lives.2
How Long Do Barbiturates Stay in Your System?
What Do Barbiturates Do?
Most Common Types of Barbiturates
- Phenobarbital: Phenobarbital is a long-acting barbiturate drug used in treating seizures, insomnia, anxiety, and many other disorders. They are also helpful in suppressing withdrawal during addiction treatments.
- Secobarbital: Secobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate used as a general relaxant. Secobarbital has several popular slang names, such as red devils and downers.
- Amobarbital: This short-intermediate-acting barbiturate was first synthesized in 1923 as a sedative. It is still used to induce sleepiness in patients experiencing insomnia. Popular barbiturate names for amobarbital include blue heavens, blue velvet, and blue devils.
Are Barbiturates Safe?
Barbiturate prescription drugs are generally safe when considerate dosages are taken. Although some barbiturates have short-term effects, these effects are usually mild when the drugs are consumed based on a doctor’s prescription.
However, where there has been barbiturate abuse, side effects can be more severe, sometimes even leading to a barbiturate overdose and death.
Are Barbiturates Controlled Substances?
Signs and Symptoms of a Barbiturate Overdose
During the use of any drug, there is the likelihood of the onset of certain signs and symptoms. The same happens with barbiturate use, even when used as prescribed. However, there are certain signs and symptoms of barbiturate use that may be indicative of an overdose.
These include:
- Impaired judgment
- Slurred speech
- Extreme fatigue
- Poor coordination
- Shallow breathing
- Altered consciousness
- Coma
- Death
Risk Factors for a Barbiturate Overdose
Using the Drug for Nonmedical Purposes
Using the Drug in Larger Amounts or More Frequently Than Prescribed
When barbiturates are taken in unprescribed amounts, a barbiturate substance abuse disorder may begin to set in through barbiturate dependence. A larger than normal intake of barbiturates can eventually lead to acute barbiturate poisoning and an overdose. To prevent this, patients are advised to take only the amount prescribed by their doctors.
Using the Drug Over Longer Periods Than Intended
Mixing Barbiturates with Alcohol, Opioids, or Other Drugs
Barbiturates, when misused alone, can lead to varying degrees of toxicity. When combined with alcohol, opioids, and other drugs, the barbiturate toxicity reaches an alarming level, thereby increasing the possibility of a barbiturate overdose. Other dangers of barbiturates include suppressed breathing, respiratory depression, coma, and even death.
Symptoms of Barbiturate Withdrawal
Barbiturates withdrawal symptoms during treatments for addiction can take a heavy toll on an individual’s recovery and overall quality of life. Withdrawal symptoms present after dependence on the substance sets in, and the individual involved tries to stop using barbiturates.
Depending on the duration of abuse and the different types of barbiturates involved, individuals can experience withdrawal symptoms ranging from mild to highly debilitating.
Indications of Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Seizures
- Suicidal thoughts
- Stomach upset
- Vomiting
Get Help for Barbiturate Overdose at Ripple Ranch
Reach Out Today
Our team of experts carries out detoxification and barbiturate treatment with care. At the same time, providing support on how to properly stop barbiturate use.
For more information on barbiturate overdose symptoms or essential care needed in overcoming barbiturate addiction, please contact us today!
Resources
- 1https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10030427/
- 2https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-20/assisted-dying-what-is-need-from-drugs-for-voluntary euthanasia/9069896
- 3https://www.britannica.com/science/sedative-hypnotic-drug
- 4https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545288/
- 5https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/barbiturate-abuse#1
- 6https://www.rxlist.com/consumer_barbiturates/drugs-condition.html
- 7https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499875/