1. Johnny McCarthy Period 3
Barbiturate
Johnny McCarthy
Period 3

2. Names The common name is simply barbiturates.
They are derivatives of barbituric acid.
The IUPAC name for barbiturates is Pyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione.
Some street names that are used include: Amytal, Downers, Nembutal, Phenobarbital, Reds, Red birds, Red devils, Seconal, Tuninal, Yellowjackets.
Since there are several types of barbiturates with different properties there is not one chemical formula.
One commonly used barbiurate is Phenobarbital with a chemical formula of C12H18N2O3.

3. Classification
Barbiturates are under the classification of a depressant because of the way the affect the central nervous system.
Pentobarbital, amobarbital and secobarbital are listed as Schedule II drugs while the other types of barbiturates are in Schedule III and Schedule IV.
The reason that there is a difference in the Schedules is because some are more likely to cause people to be addicted. These include psychological and physical condition.
There is accepted medical use, but they are slow to be prescribed because they are so addicting.

4. History
Adolf von Baeyer, a German chemist, was the first to identify barbituric acid in However, it did not originally have its central nervous system depressant qualities.
Years later, German scientists Emil Hermann Fischer and Joseph von Mering made some modifications to its structure and synthesized barbital. Scientists had been looking for something to treat anxiety.
Phenobarbital was first used for medical practice in 1913.
It was quick acting, but their overuse was apparent all over the world. In the 1950s in Denmark, more than 70% of those going to the poison control center had been using some type of a barbiturate.

5. Production
Barbiturates are synthetically made. The common component in all types is barbituric acid which is made of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
There are twenty-five barbiturates that are allowed for medical use in the United States alone.
In 1966, there were over 16 million prescriptions for different types of barbiturates in the United Kindgdom.

6. Users
Many of those who end up abusing this drug were first prescribed it, but because of its addictive qualities end up overusing it.
The medical use of barbiturates has decreased in recent time.
A recent high school survey suggests that more younger people are using it now than before. The reason for this may be that they are trying to counter the effects of other drugs.

7. Affects
This drug is most commonly taken in pill form although it can be consumed in a liquid form. Another way to take is injecting it, but this is not common. Some abusers crush the pill into powder and then mix it with water to drink.
Psychological Effects: Like alcohol inebriation, but with greater euphoria and disinhibition. Higher doses can lead to memory loss, greater impairment in judgment, paranoia and suicidal thoughts.
Physical Effects: Sleepiness, slurred speech, decreased respiration, and can lead to death. Tolerance develops quickly, and danger of an overdose, especially when taken with another drug, is high.
This drug has high potential for addiction.
As of 2005, barbiturates were used primarily for presurgical and surgical anesthesia. Before they were commonly used as sedatives.

8. Risks
Barbiturates act on the body in a similar way that alcohol does. It creates a drowsiness effect.
Some symptoms from mild use include shallow breathing, fatigue, frequent yawning, and irritability.
Heavy use can result in more severe reactions from the user such unpredictable actions or confused emotional feelings.
If a user uses to much they can overdose and go into a coma with reduced breathing. Some times abusers stop breathing which is abusers die.
The LD50 for cats varied based on the type of barbiturateseconal, 50 mg. per Kg.; pentobarbital, 100; the barbiturate of sigmodal, 110; pernoston, 135; phenobarbital, 175.

9. Detection
Barbiturates are most commonly tested for through a urine test.
Depending on what type of barbiturate was taken, the detection time varies from four to seven days.

10. Consequences
All people who have possession of any type of barbiturates must have a prescription.
The first offense can result in up to a year in prison and/or thousands of dollars in fines. Penalties increase with additional offenses.
Selling or distributing barbiturates illegally is a serious crime that could result in long prison sentences with million dollar fines.

11. Treatment
When users who have been abusing barbiturates for awhile stop they must do so under medical eyes.
If a user were to stop immediate the withdrawal phase could be fatal.
It is common for those who are trying stop abusing barbiturates to be weened off so that withdrawal symptoms are not as severe.