A barbiturate is a drug that acts as a central nervous system depressant. Barbiturates are effective as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants, but have physical and psychological addiction potential as well as overdose potential among other possible adverse effects. They have largely been replaced by benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines ("Z-drugs") in routine medical practice, particularly in the treatment of anxiety and insomnia, because of the significantly lower risk of addiction and overdose and the lack of an antidote for barbiturate overdose. Despite this, barbiturates are still in use for various purposes: in general anesthesia, epilepsy, treatment of acute migraines or cluster headaches, acute tension headaches, euthanasia, capital punishment, and assisted suicide.The name barbiturate originates from the fact that they are all chemical derivatives of barbituric acid. Uses
Medicine
Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, were long used as anxiolytics and hypnotics. Intermediate-acting barbiturates reduce time to fall asleep, increase total sleep time, and reduce REM sleep time. Today they have been largely replaced by benzodiazepines for these purposes because the latter are less toxic in drug overdose. However, barbiturates are still used as anticonvulsants (e.g., phenobarbital and primidone) and general anesthetics (e.g., sodium thiopental). Barbiturates in high doses are used for medical aid in dying, and in combination with a muscle relaxant for euthanasia and for capital punishment by lethal injection. Barbiturates are frequently employed as euthanizing agents in small-animal veterinary medicine. Interrogation
Sodium thiopental is an ultra-short-acting barbiturate that is marketed under the name Sodium Pentothal.
Norco may refer to:

Places
Norco, California, U.S.
Norco Hills, or La Sierra Heights, section of the Temescal Mountains
Norco, Louisiana, U.S.

Other uses
Norco Bicycles, a Canadian bicycle manufacturer
Norco Co-operative, an agricultural supply and marketing co-operative, New South Wales, Australia
Northern Co-operative Society (Norco), a defunct Aberdeen, Scotland co-operative society
Norco, a brand name for the fixed-dose combination opioid pain medication hydrocodone/paracetamol
NORCO (video game), a point-and-click video game set in a fictional version of Norco, Louisiana

See also
Norco shootout