Barbiturate medications refer to depressant drugs used to promote drowsiness and relaxation. Unfortunately, this medication is highly addictive and can lead to irritability, memory loss, lack of interpersonal skills and lack of alertness if taken in excess. Understand the drugs that are classified as barbiturates.
Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is a barbiturate medication used to reduce anxiety and manage epilepsy. Phenobarbital is also used to treat bouts of insomnia. Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress in life but becomes a medical problem when it manifests with such physical symptoms as chest pain, sweating, fatigue and headaches. Epilepsy refers to a seizure disorder.
Phenobarbital's common effects include vomiting, a headache, stomach problems, drowsiness, dizziness and depression. Constipation, joint or muscle pain and nightmares are phenobarbital's other side effects. This drug's more serious side effects include seizures, a fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, abnormal bleeding or bruising and a severe skin rash. Avoid alcohol with phenobarbital as it can lead to increased drowsiness.
Phenobarbital is available as a capsule, liquid or tablet. MedlinePlus says that this medication is usually taken one to three times each day with or without food or as the doctor instructs. Phenobarbital should not be used for more than two weeks, especially when used for treating insomnia, because it is highly addicting, indicates MedlinePlus.
Pentobarbital
Like phenobarbital, pentobarbital is a barbiturate drug used to treat seizures and insomnia. However, it is also used to sedate an individual prior to surgery.
Pentobarbital's side effects include difficulty concentrating, memory loss, constipation, vomiting, nausea, drowsiness, a headache and lack of coordination or balance. Pentobarbital can also cause nightmares, confusion, aggression, excitement, hallucinations, a slow heart rate and fainting. Like phenobarbital, alcohol combined with pentobarbital can also lead to increased somnolence, reports Drugs.com.
Pentobarbital's dose may require alteration if an individual suffers from chronic pain, liver or kidney disease, a history of depression or suicide, severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and liver or kidney disease. Also, pentobarbital should not be taken when pregnant because it can cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a newborn, says Drugs.com.
A medical provider administers pentobarbital via an intramuscular (through the muscle) injection.
Secobarbital
Like phenobarbital and penobarbital, secobarbital is a barbiturate drug used to manage difficulty sleeping. Secobarbital is also used to quell any anxieties prior to surgery.
MedlinePlus says that secobarbital's side effects include drowsiness, constipation, restlessness, agitation, nervousness, nightmares and sleeping difficulties. Secobarbital also causes nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, slow breathing, trouble swallowing and a slow heartbeat.
Secobarbital is a capsule taken at bedtime when used for sleep. This medication is taken one to two hours prior to surgery when treating anxiety. Secobarbital should be taken as the doctor prescribes.
