ABSTRACT
This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, and clinically significant drug interactions of Barbiturates. Barbiturate pharmacotherapy, or regular personal use, during pregnancy has been associated with a significantly increased incidence of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Small amounts of barbiturates are excreted in breast milk. Encourage patients to ask questions about their pharmacotherapeutic plan as active consumers of comprehensive psychological services. They should know the exact name of their prescribed barbiturate, its general action, purpose, dosage, storage, and administration. Abrupt discontinuation of long-term barbiturate pharmacotherapy, or regular personal use, may result in the barbiturate withdrawal syndrome. When prescribed for the short-term symptomatic management of insomnia, barbiturate pharmacotherapy produces various changes in normal sleep patterns. The exact mechanism of action of the barbiturates in producing sedative or anxiolytic actions has not yet been fully determined.
