What is Barbiturate?
'''Barbiturates''' are a group of [[Medicine|drugs]] that are [[Derivative (chemistry)|derivate]]s of [[Barbituric acid]]. [[Adolf von Baeyer]] was the first to produce Barbituric acid, in 1863. For many years, barbiturates were used as [[sedative]]s. Today, their use is very limited in many countries, mainly because they cause [[addiction]] and people soon develop a [[Drug tolerance|tolerance]]. People with a drug tolerance will need a higher dosage of the drug to get the same effect as before.{{cn}} After a while, the drug becomes useless for such people. This increased use often leads to '''physical dependence''' as the body becomes used to the constant presence of barbiturates. When the person abruptly stops taking the drug or reduces the dose, withdrawal symptoms may arise.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barbiturate Withdrawal|url=https://withdrawal.net/barbiturate/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Withdrawal|language=en}}</ref> Barbiturates were once used as a primary treatment for [[Epilepsy]]; this is especially true for the substance called [[Phenobarbitol]] or [[Phenobarbitone]]. The sedative side effect of the drug made it increasingly unpopular, and it is now prescribed less for epilepsy, in favor of other drugs that do not have sedative effects. [[Benzodiazepine]]s are another group of drugs, which have sedative properties: They make people sleepy, and help them sleep. In contrast, Barbiturates force people to sleep. In the case of severe sleeping problems which cannot be controlled by other drugs, Barbiturates are sometimes used as [[Off-label use|off-label drugs]]. == Symptoms of Barbiturate Withdrawal == Barbiturate withdrawal symptoms may include: * Abdominal cramps * Nausea * Vomiting * Restlessness * Insomnia * Fatigue * Anxiety * [[Tremor|Tremors]] * [[Seizure|Seizures]] * [[Delirium]] * [[Hallucination|Hallucinations]] Some of these withdrawal symptoms can be fatal. Seizures can be dangerous, and the delirium some users experience can lead to agitation, hyperthermia, and cardiovascular failu