Barbiturate Abuse: What You Need to Know

Barbiturates are drugs used in the treatment of insomnia and anticonvulsants. The use of barbiturates can lead to drug poisoning and affect the body, even the patient can die quickly if the drug is used in large quantities.

Barbiturate is a drug that inhibits the central nervous system to induce sedation, sleep or even anesthesia if used in high doses, and Barbiturate also has anticonvulsant properties, so it is used in the treatment of insomnia. , epilepsy or convulsive conditions.
Currently, because of the potential to cause many side effects, barbiturates are also rarely used.
Abuse of barbiturates is a condition in which a patient uses drugs at excessively high doses or arbitrarily uses them without a doctor's prescription. Abuse can cause a significant impact on the body, not only barbiturate poisoning, but with high doses can also cause a drop in blood pressure due to direct inhibition of the heart muscle.
Barbiturate poisoning is most common in people at risk such as: People with mental disorders, drug addiction, epilepsy but not properly managed medication...

The abuse of barbiturates can cause drug poisoning with severe manifestations such as:
Appears a state of confusion, then the patient quickly falls into a quiet coma, reduced reflexes bone tendons; There are no focal neurological signs, reflex pupil constriction when exposed to light; In the late stages, the patient may lose reflexes or dilated pupils; Respiratory failure due to arrhythmia, respiratory arrest, coma causing tongue drop, airway obstruction, obstruction due to sputum... Rapid pulse, low blood pressure, temperature disturbance; If left untreated, barbiturate poisoning can lead to many dangerous complications such as multi-organ failure, acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis and death. In addition, the abuse of barbiturates in the treatment of insomnia and convulsions can also cause a number of other signs such as:
Frequent being in a state of drowsiness, fatigue, difficulties in daily life, work, etc. work and learning are affected. Some unusual behavior or behavior disorder. If used for more than 1 month continuously, barbiturates can be addictive. At that time, if the patient stops using the drug, it will cause signs of withdrawal syndrome such as tremors in the limbs, difficulty sleeping, irritability and, more seriously, hallucinations, hyperthermia, convulsions.

If an overdose of barbiturates is used, the patient should go to medical facilities for timely treatment. The treatment depends on the patient's condition and the amount of drug consumed.
Measures to treat barbiturate poisoning include:
In case the patient is awake: Wash the stomach with clean water mixed with salt from 3-5 liters; Use liquid activated carbon to bind with drugs in the stomach, restricting drugs into the blood; Ensure breathing for the patient: Give oxygen, if the patient is comatose, put an endotracheal tube, squeeze a balloon or breathe a machine. Monitor and adjust blood pressure: If there is a drop in blood pressure, give fluids, if not, use vasopressors. Renal dialysis: When there is kidney failure, liver failure, severe poisoning when measuring the amount of drugs in the blood, dialysis is performed. In addition, it is necessary to support treatment with other methods such as: Using antibiotics; taking anticoagulants; ensure a nutritious diet; clean and change positions for patients if they have to lie down for a long time to avoid pressure ulcers; combined physical therapy...

Abuse of barbiturates can cause many serious consequences, even dangerous to the life of the user. Therefore, strict management when using the drug is very necessary, especially for patients who have to use it regularly to treat insomnia or epilepsy.
In addition, the patient must clearly understand the disadvantages of drug overdose to avoid abuse. When using the drug, it must be prescribed by a doctor and should have a full history of drug use so that the doctor can grasp and prescribe appropriately.
In summary, abuse of barbiturates can have serious consequences for the patient's health, so as soon as you see signs of drug poisoning, you should not hesitate to go to a medical facility for treatment. treated according to the regimen, limiting serious complications.