Why barbiturates dangerous

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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Barbiturates are a class of drugs derived from barbituric acid that act as depressants to the central nervous system. These drugs are used as sedatives or anesthetics and have the potential to become addictive. They're problematic because there is no good treatment to reverse a barbiturate overdose. This can be life-threatening and lead to coma or death without prompt medical intervention.

Overdose can occur by either taking high doses of barbiturates alone or taking barbiturates in addition to alcohol or other drugs. Common combinations that lead to deadly overdose include barbiturates and alcohol and mixing barbiturates with opioids.

Compared to drugs more widely prescribed today, the difference between a therapeutic dose of barbiturates and a deadly one is small. Knowing the signs and symptoms of an overdose can be life-saving.

If someone who has taken barbiturates is experiencing any of the following symptoms, call right away:. Elderly people may be at greater risk for overdose in smaller doses due to differences in how their bodies metabolize drugs.

Treatment for barbiturate overdose may require intubation, the use of activated charcoal, and medical observation within an inpatient hospital unit.

In addition to overdose, there are several other consequences that can occur as a result of acute and chronic barbiturate abuse. Abusing barbiturates for even a short amount of time carries the risk of developing physical dependence.

Experiencing uncomfortable symptoms following reduced or stopped doses can be a sign of withdrawal. If you or someone you know has become dependent on barbiturates, do not attempt to stop taking them on your own. Seek professional help as soon as possible.

The most serious risks of barbiturate withdrawal include potential heart failure, seizures, suicidal thoughts, and sudden death.

The best way to safely withdraw from barbiturates and avoid severe withdrawal symptoms during this process is to undergo medical detoxification detox.

Medical detox is offered in inpatient rehabilitation settings for people who require medical assistance to withdraw from drugs or alcohol. Within this setting, patients can be monitored for health complications and receive treatment for uncomfortable symptoms. Your local poison control center can be reached directly by calling the national toll-free Poison Help hotline from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number.

You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison control. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Aronson JK. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; Gussow L, Carlson A. Sedative hypnotics. Tasks that require you to be alert, like driving, might be challenging. Certain factors can increase the risk of side effects or overdose with barbiturate use.

Barbiturates have a greater risk compared to the benefits. People prescribed these drugs must be carefully monitored to avoid side effects. There are risks linked to barbiturate use during pregnancy.

These drugs are sometimes used if other medication options are unavailable. Many older studies have established ties between barbiturate use during pregnancy with birth defects. Babies may have complications with growth and development if exposed to barbiturates long term during pregnancy.

Babies can also be born dependent on barbiturates and suffer from withdrawal symptoms after birth. An animal study found exposure in newborn rats caused problems in brain development. The drug pentobarbital affected learning, memory, and other important functions. Barbiturates may cause death if suddenly stopped. If you have been taking a barbiturate, be sure to talk with your doctor before stopping the medication. Some withdrawal symptoms of barbiturates include:. For serious withdrawal symptoms, you may need to be monitored in the hospital until the drug is out of your body.

This could take several days. Barbiturates are available by prescription in three DEA schedule categories. This is based on their potential for addiction and misuse.

However, barbiturates are still misused through illicit access. Illegal use has led to overdose deaths because the medications are dangerous for self-treatment. The danger increases when barbiturates are combined with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines like diazepam, or other drugs.

They are also available through veterinary sources and laboratories for research purposes. Online purchases are another illegal source of barbiturates. They come with greater risk because the drugs may be expired or contaminated with other substances. There are federal and state penalties for buying, selling, or taking the drugs illegally. Barbiturates are not used very much today because of their poor safety record for overdoses.