Barbiturate

A drug derived from barbituric acid that depresses central nervous system activity. Barbiturates have been used as sedatives, anesthetics, and anticonvulsants.

GABA-A receptor: A ligand-gated chloride channel that mediates much of the brain’s fast inhibitory signaling. Barbiturates enhance this receptor’s responses to GABA, reducing neuronal activity.
Phenobarbital: A long-acting barbiturate used chiefly to treat seizures. It remains a barbiturate option for epilepsy, including in settings with limited resources.
Benzodiazepine: A class of drugs that enhance GABA-A receptor signaling and are used for anxiety, seizures, and sedation. Benzodiazepines generally have a wider safety margin than barbiturates when taken alone.
Barbiturate overdose: Poisoning from excessive barbiturate exposure, potentially causing coma, respiratory failure, and death. The steep dose-related risks made barbiturate poisoning a major clinical hazard.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid: The principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mature mammalian central nervous system. Barbiturates strengthen signaling through receptors activated by this neurotransmitter.
Thiopental: An ultrashort-acting barbiturate formerly used to induce general anesthesia. Its rapid onset made it useful for anesthetic induction.
Z-drug: A group of nonbenzodiazepine medicines used mainly to treat insomnia. These hypnotics act at GABA-A receptors but are structurally distinct from barbiturates.
Drug tolerance: A reduced response to a drug after repeated exposure, often requiring higher doses for the same effect. Repeated barbiturate use can produce tolerance to sedative effects.
Respiratory depression: Inadequate breathing caused by reduced respiratory drive or impaired respiratory muscle function. At high doses, barbiturate effects can suppress the brain’s drive to breathe.
Methohexital: A short-acting barbiturate used for anesthesia and electroconvulsive therapy. It can produce brief anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy.

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