Barbiturate

How is it Used?

What are the Effects?

Barbiturates cause mild euphoria, lack of inhibition, relief of anxiety and sleepiness. Higher doses cause impairment of memory, judgment and coordination, irritability, and paranoid and suicidal ideation. Tolerance develops quickly and larger doses are then needed to produce the same effect, increasing the danger of an overdose. Barbiturates slow down the central nervous system and cause sleepiness.

Drugs with similar effects include alcohol, benzodiazepines like Valium® and Xanax®, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, Rohypnol®, and GHB.

What does it Look Like?

While less commonly prescribed today due to the availability of safer alternatives, they are still used in specific medical contexts. They come in several forms, designed for controlled medical use or, in some cases, illicit distribution. Common forms include:

• Tablets: Small, round, or oval pills in various colors, often marked with identifying imprints.
• Capsules: Gelatin-coated forms filled with powder or liquid.
• Liquid: Clear solutions for oral administration.
• Injectable Solutions: Sterile liquid used in clinical or veterinary settings.
• Illicit Versions: Counterfeit pills or powders, often imitating prescription barbiturates but with inconsistent quality and composition.

Legal prescriptions are packaged in labeled bottles or blister packs, while illicit forms are sold in unmarked containers, bags, or loose powder form.