Barbiturate intoxication and overdose

Definition

Barbiturates are a type of depressant drug that cause relaxation and sleepiness. A barbituate overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication. This is life threatening.

At relatively low doses, barituates may cause you to seem like you are drunk, or intoxicated.  

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure.  If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or theNational Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.  

Alternative Names

Intoxication - barbiturates

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Barbiturate abuse is a major addiction problem for many people. Most people who take these medications for seizure disorders or pain syndromes do not abuse them,. However, those who become addicts usually start by abusing medication prescribed for them or other family members.

Symptoms

Symptoms of barbiturate intoxication and overdose include:

• Altered level of consciousness
• Difficulty in thinking
• Drowsiness or coma
• Faulty judgment
• Incoordination
• Shallow breathing
• Slowness of speech
• Sluggishness
• Slurred speech
• Staggering

Excessive and long-term use of barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, may produce the following chronic symptoms:

• Changes in alertness
• Decreased functioning
• Irritability
• Memory loss

Signs and tests

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.   Blood and urine tests will be done to screen for drugs.  

Treatment

Most overdoses of this type of medication involve a mixtures of drugs, usually alcohol and barbiturates, or barbiturates and opiates (heroin or Oxycontin).

Some users use a combination of all four drugs. Those who take such combinations tend to be:

• A new user who does not know that such combinations can lead to coma or death
• Experienced users who intentionally use them to become consciousness. 

The second group is among the most difficult to treat.

The patient may receive a medicine called  naloxone (Narcan) , if an opiate was part of the mix. This medicine will often rapidly restore consciousness and breathing.

There is no direct antidote for this type of overdose. Breathing support, such as a breathing machine, may be needed until all the drug is removed from the body.

Support Groups

Expectations (prognosis)

About 1 in 10 people who have a barbiturate overdose or mixture overdose will die. They usually die from heart and lung problems.

Complications

Complications can include:

• Coma
• Death
• Miscarriage in pregnant women or damage to the developing baby in the womb

Calling your health care provider

Call your local emergency number, such as 911, if someone has taken barbituates and seems extremely tired or has breathing problems. The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

Prevention

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References

Schears RM. Barbiturates. In: Tintinalli JE, Kelen GD, Stapczynski JS, Ma OJ, Cline DM, eds. Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2004:chap 163.