There are many different types of barbiturates. Barbiturates have been used extensively in the past as sedatives. However, barbiturates are still used to treat some types of epilepsy . These effects may be caused by depressing inhibitory brain circuits. In other words, barbiturates at these doses act to remove inhibitory behavior.
Barbiturates can lead to excessive sedation and cause anesthesia, coma and even death .
Barbiturate overdoses may occur because the effective dose of the drug is not too far away from the lethal dose. A major problem with barbiturates is that they may lead to tolerance and dependence. Tolerance occurs when a greater and greater amount of the drug is required to get the desired effect. For example, if barbiturates are used to help a person sleep, over time, a greater dose of the drug will be needed to get the person to sleep. Dependence occurs when a person feels like he or she must use the drug and withdrawal symptoms occur when the person stops using the drug.