BARBITURATES & BENZODIAZEPINE
underdeveloped countries.
Barbiturates
All derivatives of barbituric acid
Depressants of the central nervous system
(CNS) that impair or reduce the activity of the
brain by acting as a Gamma Amino Butyric Acid
(GABA) potentiators.
Categorized as hypnotics and also called
downers.
Produce alcohol like symptoms such as
impaired motor control (ataxia), dizziness and
slower breathing and heart rate.
Chronic use leads to tolerance and physical
dependence.
Withdrawal symptoms during drug abstinence
can be severe enough to cause DEATH.
Detection period in urine: 4 -7 days
Kit Cut off concentration: 300 ng/mL
History
Barbituric acid was first created in 1864 by a
German scientist named Adolf von Baeyer. It
was a combination of urea from animals and
malonic acid from apples.
Its first derivative utilized as medicine was used
to put dogs to sleep but was soon produced by
Baeyer as a sleep aid in 1903 called Veronal.
Phenobarbital was soon discovered and
marketed as well as many other barbituric acid
derivatives.
Prescribed as sedatives, anesthetics, anxiolytics,
and anti convulsants.
Also popular and abused in pop culture because
of their alcohol like effect.
Interesting Facts
o Caused the death of many celebrities
such as Jimi Hendrix and Marilyn
Monroe.
o Used by the Nazis during WWII for
euphoria.
Uses
Barbiturates have been use in the past to treat
a variety of symptoms from insomnia and
dementia to neonatal jaundice.
They have largely been replaced with drugs
such as benzodiazepine due to their propensity
for addiction and reduced effect over extended
use.
Used when benzo class drugs fail or in
Cannot be used for treatment of
absence seizures.
Benzodiazepine
Prescribed for symptomatic treatment
of anxiety and sleep disorders, replace
Barbiturates.
Produce their effects on GABA (Gamma
Amino Butyric Acid); a neurochemical.
Detected in Urine: 3 7 days
Major indication is for use in treatment
of severely debilitating anxiety (because
of their anxiolytic properties).
Effective as hypnotics, as they possess
many of the same sedative qualities as
barbiturates.
Therefore useful in treatment of
insomnia.
Effective muscle relaxants.
Generate amnesia.
Lorazepam long lasting amnesia
Midazolam short lasting amnesia
Useful for panic attacks and phobias
Efficacy may be less than that achieved
with SSRIs.
Treatment of alcohol withdrawal.
Effective anticonvulsant useful in
treatment of epilepsy.
Advantages:
Rapid Onset
Anxiolysis
Low level side effects
Disadvantages
Impaired psychomotor performance
and alertness.
Potential for dependence and abuse.