Barbiturates - BAR

Barbiturates BAR

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Screening Cut-off: 300 ng/ml
DEA Drug Class: Depressant
Type: Prescription Drug
Trade Names: Alurate, Amytal, Barbita, Busodium, Butalan, Butisol, Luminal, Mebaral, Nembutal, Novopentobarb, Novosecobarb, Sarisol, Seconal, Solfoton, Tuinal
Street Names: Barbs, Bute, Goofballs, Nembies, Reds, Stoppers, Yellow Jackets, Barbies, Barbs, Block Busters, Blue Bullets, Blues, Downers, Pink Ladies, Pinks, Sleepers

Drug Information

Barbiturates (BAR) are central nervous system depressants.  They are used therapeutically as sedatives, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants.  Barbiturates are almost always taken orally as capsules or tablets.  The effects resemble those of intoxication with alcohol.  Chronic use of barbiturates leads to tolerance and physical dependence. Short acting Barbiturates taken at 400 mg/day for 2-3 months can produce a clinically significant degree of physical dependence. Withdrawal symptoms experienced during periods of drug abstinence can be severe enough to cause death. Only a small amount (less than 5%) of most Barbiturates are excreted unaltered in the urine.

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Drug Classification and Effects Information

  • Classification/Schedule III: Drugs with less abuse potential than schedule II; have moderate to low physical dependency, but may have high psychological dependence
  • Physical Dependency: Moderate
  • Psychological Dependency: Moderate
  • Tolerance: Yes
  • Possible Effects: Slurred speech, disorientation, drunken behavior without odor of alcohol, impaired memory of events, interacts with alcohol
  • Effects of Overdose: Shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, possible death
  • Withdrawal Syndrome: Anxiety, insomnia, tremors, delirium, convulsions, possible death

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