What Are the Side Effects of Barbiturates?
Barbiturates are a class of drugs developed from barbituric acid. This acid has no medicinal value on its own, but drugs derived from it can increase the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that can affect nerve cell activity in the brain.
Barbiturates are depressant drugs that slow down the central nervous system (CNS), and they are commonly used to treat issues like anxiety, headaches, insomnia, and seizures. Some can also be used as an effective anesthesia.
Continue reading to learn more about the effects of barbiturates, misuse and addiction of barbiturates, and how to find addiction treatment for you or a loved one. Call American Addiction Centers today at if you are worried about your misuse of barbiturates and want to speak with an admissions navigator.
Potential Effects of Barbiturates
Barbiturates are common drugs of misuse, and range from Schedule II to Schedule IV drugs according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Barbiturates often cause a mild sense of euphoria, decreased anxiety, and sleepiness.
Other potential side effects of barbiturates include:1
- Lightheadedness.
- Onset of dizziness.
- Sedative effects.
- Nausea.
- Abdominal pain.
- Vomiting.
These symptoms can occur even when prescribed by a physician. Like other depressants, barbiturates can slow a person’s breathing and heart rate. There is a wide spectrum of barbiturates, according to the DEA, and the effects can range from mild sedation to coma.
Those who misuse barbiturates tend to choose short-acting or intermediate pills, such as Seconal and Amytal. These drugs usually produce effects within 15-40 minutes, and it can take up to 6 hours for effects to subside.2 Long-acting barbiturates can bring effects that last up to 2 days, but misuse rates for these variants are lower.
The most common method of misuse is oral ingestion in pill form, but some who misuse the drugs inject the substance in liquid form to speed up delivery to the body. Misuse is usually motivated by a desire to reduce anxiety, mitigate the effects of other drugs, and lessen a person’s inhibitions. According to an article published in the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, misuse of barbiturates often arises from attempts at self-medication by an individual.3
Misuse in large doses can bring on more side effects, in addition to the aforementioned ones. A person exposed to a large barbiturate dose may experience some memory problems, a common symptom of depressant misuse. Impaired judgement and coordination are also common with misuse of barbiturates, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence can be extremely dangerous. Some users may become irritable or paranoid with high doses of barbiturates. Suicidal thoughts can arise in extreme cases.
Barbiturate Misuse and Addiction
Polysubstance use is common with barbiturates, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Alcohol and cocaine are commonly used in conjunction with barbiturates, and co-occurring misuse with heroin is also somewhat common. This results in a more complicated and integrated treatment process for recovery for those exposed to polysubstance use. Combining drugs is a dangerous activity, and the potential for health problems increases significantly when adding a second or third substance into the mix with barbiturates.
A person can become addicted to barbiturates as a result of misusing the drugs. Physical dependence can develop rapidly, and this can result in withdrawal in cases of discontinued use. Withdrawal from barbiturates can be extremely dangerous and result in life-threatening side effects. Some withdrawal symptoms from some barbiturates have been found to last years, as was the case with soldiers given barbiturates during World War II to combat the intense heat and humidity experienced in some locales.4
Misuse can also lead to an increased tolerance of a drug, which means that an individual needs to take more of it to produce the desired effect. This is when misuse can become exceptionally dangerous and result in overdose.
Barbiturate Overdose
Overdose is a dangerous side effect of barbiturate misuse, especially when polysubstance use is involved with substances like alcohol and heroin.
Symptoms of overdose can include:5
- Altered consciousness.
- Drowsiness that can lead to coma.
- Poor judgement.
- Coordination issues.
- Slowed speech and breathing.
- Staggering.
In more extreme cases of overdose due to prolonged use of barbiturates, symptoms may include:
- Altered alertness.
- Memory problems.
- Irritable behavior.
- Decreased functionality.
Barbiturate overdose is an extremely serious situation that can result in death. If a barbiturate overdose is suspected, it is crucial to contact medical professionals immediately by calling 911. Upon arrival, emergency medical professionals will take and monitor an individual’s vital signs and screen them for substances.
Find Treatment for Barbiturates Addiction
At American Addiction Centers, our treatment programs are tailored to meet individual needs. Contact our admissions navigators at to find out more about the admissions process, the levels of addiction treatment offered, insurance coverage, and how to pay for rehab.
