Barbiturate Intoxication

Barbiturates are drugs in a class called sedative-hypnotics. Barbiturate intoxication occurs when excessive amounts, or an overdose, of barbiturates has been taken.

What is going on in the body?

Barbiturates cause sleepiness and decreased responsiveness. People usually overdose on barbiturates by mistake. Sometimes an overdose is planned if it is a suicide attempt.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Barbiturates are used to treat several different diseases. One barbiturate, phenobarbital, is used to manage seizures, which are sudden, uncontrollable muscle spasms. Rarely, it is used as a sedative to calm, quiet or make a person sleepy.