(This is where the term ‘overdose’ is legitimate. Any drug not legally prescribed cannot be ‘overdosed’ on. Taking these drugs is an act of self-poisoning.)
In general, barbiturates can be thought of as so-called brain relaxers. Alcohol is also a brain relaxer. The effects of barbiturates and alcohol are very similar, and when combined can be lethal. Pain medicines, sleeping pills, and antihistamines also cause symptoms similar to those of barbiturates.
People who abuse barbiturates use them to obtain a “high,” which is described as being similar to alcohol intoxication, or to counteract the effects of stimulant drugs.
- In small doses, the person who abuses barbiturates feels drowsy, disinhibited, and intoxicated.
- In higher doses, the user staggers as if drunk, develops slurred speech, and is confused.
- At even higher doses, the person is unable to be aroused (coma) and may stop breathing. Death is possible.
It is important to note that the difference between the dose causing drowsiness and one causing death may be small. In the medical profession, this difference is called a narrow therapeutic index, which is the ratio of a drug's toxic dose to its therapeutically desirable dose. This is the reason why barbiturates are dangerous. It is also why barbiturates are not often prescribed today.
Symptoms of withdrawal
Symptoms of withdrawal or abstinence include tremors, difficulty sleeping, and agitation. These symptoms can become worse, resulting in life-threatening symptoms, including hallucinations, high temperature, and seizures.
Barbiturate Names
Generic Name | Street Name |
Amobarbital | Downers, blue heavens, blue velvet, blue devils |
Pentobarbital | Nembies, yellow jackets, abbots, Mexican yellows |
Purple hearts, goof balls | |
Secobarbital | Reds, red birds, red devils, lilly, F-40s, pinks, pink ladies, seggy |
Tuinal | Rainbows, reds and blues, tooies, double trouble, gorilla pills, F-66s |
