Barbiturate overdose
Encyclopedia
A barbiturate overdose results when a person takes a larger-than-prescribed dose of barbiturate
s. Symptoms of an overdose typically include sluggishness, incoordination, difficulty in thinking, slowness of speech, faulty judgment, drowsiness, shallow breathing, and staggering. In severe cases, coma and death can result. The lethal dosage of barbiturates varies greatly with tolerance and from one individual to another.
Barbiturate overdose with other CNS (central nervous system) depressants, such as alcohol
, opiates or benzodiazepines, is even more dangerous due to additive CNS and respiratory depressant effects. In the case of benzodiazepines, barbiturates also increase the binding affinity of the benzodiazepine binding sites
thus leading to an exaggerated effect of benzodiazepines.
The treatment of barbiturate abuse or overdose is generally supportive. The amount of support required depends on the person’s symptoms.
If the patient is drowsy but awake and can swallow and breathe without difficulty, the treatment can be as simple as monitoring the patient closely.
If the patient is not breathing, it may involve mechanical ventilation until the drug has worn off.
Advice the patient about drug abuse or Psychiatric consult.
Barbiturate
Barbiturates are drugs that act as central nervous system depressants, and can therefore produce a wide spectrum of effects, from mild sedation to total anesthesia. They are also effective as anxiolytics, as hypnotics, and as anticonvulsants...
s. Symptoms of an overdose typically include sluggishness, incoordination, difficulty in thinking, slowness of speech, faulty judgment, drowsiness, shallow breathing, and staggering. In severe cases, coma and death can result. The lethal dosage of barbiturates varies greatly with tolerance and from one individual to another.
Barbiturate overdose with other CNS (central nervous system) depressants, such as alcohol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...
, opiates or benzodiazepines, is even more dangerous due to additive CNS and respiratory depressant effects. In the case of benzodiazepines, barbiturates also increase the binding affinity of the benzodiazepine binding sites
Binding site
In biochemistry, a binding site is a region on a protein, DNA, or RNA to which specific other molecules and ions—in this context collectively called ligands—form a chemical bond...
thus leading to an exaggerated effect of benzodiazepines.
The treatment of barbiturate abuse or overdose is generally supportive. The amount of support required depends on the person’s symptoms.
If the patient is drowsy but awake and can swallow and breathe without difficulty, the treatment can be as simple as monitoring the patient closely.
If the patient is not breathing, it may involve mechanical ventilation until the drug has worn off.
- Activated charcoal may given via nasogastric tube.
- Start on Naloxone, Thiamine, Glucose, & IV fluid.
- NaHCO3 to alkalize the urine
- Admitted to the hospital or observe in the Emergency Department for a number of hours.
Advice the patient about drug abuse or Psychiatric consult.