Barbiturates are a powerful class of drugs categorized as non-selective central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates were first developed in the early 1900s and became popular in the 1950s and 1960s for treating anxiety and insomnia. They were found, however, to be highly addictive with the potential for severe withdrawals. Barbiturates predate the advent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are part of a family of first-generation pharmaceutical drugs that have been grandfathered into the current prescribing formulary. They are primarily used today for the treatment of human and animal anesthesia, epilepsy and euthanasia. Barbiturates carry the risk of several side effects that impact each organ system differently.
Respiratory Complications
Barbiturates can cause severe respiratory depression. These effects can vary in duration depending on whether the patient is taking short-acting or long-acting barbiturates. According to Dr. Greg Gordon at Metro Health Anesthesia, a division of Case Western Reserve University-School of Medicine, barbiturates decrease the rate and depth of breathing, require a lengthy recover time and sometimes result in hypersalivation. Patients may also experience inflamed airways and limited ability to clear the airways of respiratory contaminants. Children and elderly patients may need an extended period of supervision on barbiturates due to these possible respiratory side effects.
Liver Toxicity
Patients taking barbiturates may also experience liver problems. Patients with pre-existing liver problems should consider an alternative to this medication. According to Drugs.com, some of the liver side effects that might be experienced when taking barbiturates include hepatitis, bile obstruction and acute liver failure. Barbiturates are primarily metabolized in the liver and elevated liver enzymes often represents enzyme induction rather than hepatic pathology. In the October 2007 issue of "Toxic Pathology," Dr. Zakaria Almsherqi and associates found that liver damage often only occurs after chronic exposure to barbiturates such as phenobarbital and short-term treatment is relatively safe.
Effects on the Heart
Barbiturates can also have several side effects on the heart. Because barbiturates are a central nervous system depressant, this plays a direct role on how the cardiovascular system reacts to the drug. According to Metro Health Anesthesia, barbiturates can cause dilation of the blood vessels -- leading to blood pooling, weakened heart contractions, increased heart rate and dilation of pulmonary vessels. According to RxList, some patients may also experience fainting due to low blood pressure.
Nervous System
One of the most commonly reported side effects of barbiturates is somnolence. Patients experience a hangover effect and may feel drowsy, dizzy and confused after taking barbiturates. According to Epilepsy.com, patients may experience depression, memory problems, impotence and slurred speech. Children may experience hyperactivity and impaired concentration. In addition, Drugs.com states that patients may experience tics, lethargy, impairment of tasks requiring sustained performance, irritability, loss of coordination and irregular reflexes.
References
- Metro Health Anesthesia: Barbiturates
- Drugs.com: Luminal Side Effects
- "Toxic Pathology"; Chronic Phenobarbital-Induced Mitochondrial Pleomorphism in the Rat Liver; Dr. Zakaria Almsherqi et al; October 2007
- Epilepsy Professionals: Phenobarbital
- American College of Neuropsychopharmacology: Barbiturates
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