Drugs Information: Barbiturates

Substance: Barbiturates

Category: Depressant

Legal Status
Prescription only medicines

Short-term effects
No immediate mood altering effect.

Short-term effects
If sleep does not occur after the usual medical dose there can be an alcohol-like drunkenness. With higher doses severe intoxication occurs including lack of co-ordination and emotionality. Overdose deaths known after less than 10 times the usual dose. Extremely dangerous with alcohol. Effects last 3-6 hours.

Long Term effects
After heavy use chronic inebriation and respiratory problems can occur. Continued risk of overdose death even after tolerance has built up. Strong physical dependence possible. After very high doses, withdrawal can include seizures and delirium, and may be fatal.

Scientific / Trade or Slang Name
Sleepers, Downers, brands such as Amytal, Tunial and Nembutal.

Method of use
Generally swallowed although some are injected.

NOTE:
The effect upon the individual of any drug may vary, depending on factors such as the expectations of the user, mood, amount used, the setting, tolerance, and whether it is mixed with other drugs, which can be fatal. Some of the drugs above are synthetic drugs which are produced in unregulated laboratories. As such they are rarely pure and are often altered with a range of toxic and other dangerous agents.