Question 1

what is the history behind barbiturates? what were they first used for?

Accepted Answer

Barbituric acid: was discovered in the late 19th century and came into use in the early 20th century for the same uses as it is now - as a sedative. Various congeners were made that were used for anesthesia (thiopental), sleeping pills (nembutal, amytal), as anticonvulsant (phenobarbital).  These drugs can be highly toxic and result in overdose frequently, and also cause a terrible physical dependency/addiction.

Question 2

does zopiclone contain barbiturates?

Accepted Answer

Zopiclone: It is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic. It does not contain barbiturates.

Question 3

do barbiturates disrupt sleep architecture?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Decrease stage 3n and rem sleep, especially with chronic use.

Question 4

can you advise me if getting prescribed barbiturates for insomnia?

Accepted Answer

Insomnia: Would recommend a formal sleep medicine evaluation before taking barbiturates to sleep.

Question 5

is acetazolamide barbiturate?

Accepted Answer

No: This is used for glaucoma and altitude sicknes, actually carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.....Not a barbiturate.

Question 6

is acetazolamide a barbiturate drug?

Accepted Answer

Not a barbiturate: It is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor.

Question 7

should barbiturates be taken on an empty stomach?

Accepted Answer

Barbiturates: Not good idea since upset stomach is fairly common.

Question 8

could barbiturate use cause tolerance to other sedatives?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Barbiturates cause tolerance to other sedatives like Valium and other benzodiazapine drugs.

Question 9

what are some psychiatric medications that are barbiturates?

Accepted Answer

-barbital: Most of these medications have a generic name ending in -barbital.  Secobarbital, phenobarbital, amobarbital are examples. These are nervous system depressants, potentially lethal in overdose, used before surgery, for seizure disorder, but often safer medications are recommended for outpatients before using them due to higher risk (used to be common anxiety/sleep meds).

Question 10

is there a difference between barbiturates and benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

Barbiturates/ benzos: The biggest difference between barbiturate and and a benzodiazepine  is the fact that the barbiturates lead to a much more rapid habituation and the withdrawal  can be very serious and they can be lethal at low doses. Benzodiazepines have all the same risks except that they are far less likely to be lethal and tolerance does not develop that quickly and in many patients not at all.

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Barbiturate abuse in children

A member asked:

What is the history behind barbiturates? what were they first used for?

A member asked:

Does zopiclone contain barbiturates?

A member asked:

Do barbiturates disrupt sleep architecture?

A member asked:

Can you advise me if getting prescribed barbiturates for insomnia?

A member asked:

Is acetazolamide barbiturate?

A member asked:

Is acetazolamide a barbiturate drug?

A member asked:

Should barbiturates be taken on an empty stomach?

A member asked:

Could barbiturate use cause tolerance to other sedatives?

A member asked:

What are some psychiatric medications that are barbiturates?

A member asked:

Is there a difference between barbiturates and benzodiazepines?

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