Medicines
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Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Seconal
Secobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate, a class of drugs that depress the central nervous system. It enhances the effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, leading to decreased neuronal excitability. It was once widely used as a sedative-hypnotic for insomnia, as an anxiolytic, and as a pre-operative anesthetic. However, due to its high potential for abuse, dependence, and overdose, its use has significantly declined.
Short-term treatment of insomnia and as a pre-operative sedative.
Secobarbital carries a black box warning for its potential for abuse, dependence, and risk of fatal overdose, particularly with concomitant use of other CNS depressants including alcohol and opioids.
Outcome:
Respiratory depression, coma, death
Mechanism:
Additive CNS depression
Outcome:
Increased sedation
Mechanism:
Additive CNS depression
Outcome:
Reduced sedative effects of secobarbital
Mechanism:
Caffeine is a CNS stimulant
Most likely new formulation: extended-release formulation for specific indications (Year: 2028, 30% confidence)
Based on declining usage trends and safety concerns, the likelihood of further restrictions on secobarbital use is 70% within the next 5 years.
Barbiturate, Hypnotic, Sedative, Anxiolytic
Barbiturate