Barbiturates are classified as sedative/hypnotics because of their central nervous system depressant and sleep-inducing effects. They were used first in medical practice in the early 1900s; phenobarbital was introduced in 1912. This long-acting barbiturate still is prescribed for children and adolescents who have seizure disorders. The primary medical uses for barbiturates are as anesthetic and anticonvulsant agents. In addition, amobarbital and methohexital are used in diagnostic testing for psychiatric and epileptiform disorders. All barbiturates are physiologically addicting and have the potential for producing a life-threatening abstinence syndrome. The abuse of barbiturates, both prescription and illicit, peaked in the early 1970s. By the mid-1980s,treatment of anxiety and insomnia was accomplished primarily with the much safer benzodiazepine class of drugs. As the number of prescriptions written for barbiturates decreased dramatically, so did abuse.
Illicitly obtained barbiturates are used to reduce anxiety, decrease inhibitions, and treat unwanted effects of stimulants and other illicit...
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