OFFICIAL NAMES: Methohexital (Brevital), thiamylal (Surital), thiopental (Pentothal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), secobarbital (Seconal), amobarbital (Amytal), bubalbital (Florinal, Fioricet), butabarbital (Butisol), talbutal (Lotusate), aprobarbital (Alurate), amobarbital and secobarbital (Tuinal), phenobarbital (Luminal), mephobarbital (Mebaral)

STREET NAMES: Barbs, downers, red devils, Mexican reds, red birds, blue devils, blue heavens, goof balls, yellow jackets, block busters, reds, blues, pinks, Christmas trees, Amys, rainbows, purple hearts

DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS: Schedule II, III, IV; depressant

Overview

Barbiturates are among the drugs classified as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. These drugs depress or slow down the activity of nerves that control emotions and bodily functions such as breathing. Barbiturates are prescribed as a sedative that calms the patient or as a hypnotic that helps a person sleep. Other uses include epilepsy treatment and anesthesia before surgery.

Barbiturates are compounds derived from barbituric acid, a substance discovered in 1863 by German chemist Adolf von Baeyer...