Barbital
Reference work entry
First Online:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36172-2_200871
Synonyms
Barbitone
Definition
Barbital was the first barbiturate to be developed and is considered a prototype. It is a sedative and hypnotic and was used as a sleeping aid and anxiolytic, although now largely replaced by nonbarbiturate agents. Due to its slow onset of action, fatal overdosing is a risk. Prolonged usage of barbital, like other barbiturates, results in tolerance, abuse, dependence, and withdrawal.
Cross-References
Copyright information
© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015