Barbiturates (Systemic)
Category- Anticonvulsant—Amobarbital (parenteral only); Mephobarbital; Metharbital; Pentobarbital (parenteral only); Phenobarbital; Secobarbital (parenteral
only)
- Antihyperbilirubinemic—Phenobarbital
- Sedative-hypnotic—Amobarbital; Aprobarbital; Butabarbital; Pentobarbital; Phenobarbital
(parenteral only); Secobarbital
DescriptionBarbiturates (bar-BI-tyoo-rates)belong to the group
of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that
cause drowsiness). They act on the brain and CNS to produce effects that may
be helpful or harmful. This depends on the individual patient's condition
and response and the amount of medicine taken.
Some of the barbiturates may be used before surgery to relieve anxiety
or tension. In addition, some of the barbiturates are used as anticonvulsants
to help control seizures in certain disorders or diseases, such as epilepsy.
Barbiturates may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
The barbiturates have been used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping);
but if they are used regularly (for example, every day) for insomnia, they
are usually not effective for longer than 2 weeks. The barbiturates have also
been used to relieve nervousness or restlessness during the daytime. However,
the barbiturates have generally been replaced by safer medicines for the treatment
of insomnia and daytime nervousness or tension.
If too much of a barbiturate is used, it may become habit-forming.
Barbiturates should not be used for anxiety or tension caused by the stress
of everyday life.
These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription, in
the following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Amobarbital
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Aprobarbital
-
Butabarbital
-
Capsules (U.S.)
-
Elixir (U.S.)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Mephobarbital
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Metharbital
-
Tablets (Other countries)
-
Pentobarbital
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Elixir (U.S.)
-
Phenobarbital
-
Capsules (U.S.)
-
Elixir (U.S. and Canada)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Secobarbital
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Secobarbital and Amobarbital
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
-
Amobarbital
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
-
Pentobarbital
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
-
Phenobarbital
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
-
Secobarbital
Rectal
-
Pentobarbital
-
Suppositories (U.S. and Canada)
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.—
- Alurate 2
- Amytal 1
- Barbita 7
- Busodium 3
- Butalan 3
- Butisol 3
- Luminal 7
- Mebaral 4
- Nembutal 6
- Sarisol No. 2 3
- Seconal 8
- Solfoton 7
- Tuinal 9
In Canada—
- Amytal 1
- Ancalixir 7
- Butisol 3
- Mebaral 4
- Nembutal 6
- Nova Rectal 6
- Novopentobarb 6
- Novosecobarb 8
- Seconal 8
- Tuinal 9
Gemonil 5
|
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following barbiturates are numbered to match
the corresponding brand names. |
| This information applies to the following medicines: |
| 1. |
Amobarbital (am-oh-BAR-bi-tal)‡ |
| 2. |
Aprobarbital (a-proe-BAR-bi-tal)† |
| 3. |
Butabarbital (byoo-ta-BAR-bi-tal)‡ |
| 4. |
Mephobarbital (me-foe-BAR-bi-tal) |
| 5. |
Metharbital (meth-AR-bi-tal)*† |
| 6. |
Pentobarbital (pen-toe-BAR-bi-tal)‡ |
| 7. |
Phenobarbital (fee-noe-BAR-bi-tal)ठ|
| 8. |
Secobarbital (see-koe-BAR-bi-tal)‡ |
| 9. |
Secobarbital and Amobarbital (see-koe-BAR-bi-tal and am-oh-BAR-bi-tal) |
| * Not commercially available in the U.S. |
| † Not commercially available in Canada |
| ‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S. |
| § Generic name product may be available in Canada |
|
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