PHARMACOLOGIC ACTION OF BARBITURATES

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Abstract
The barbituric acid derivatives have recently assumed a rather prominent rôle in the treatment of psychotic patients. Although among psychiatrists interest has primarily centered around the psychologic reaction produced by these drugs, I believe that a concise consideration of the pharmacologic action would not be amiss. Though in general their action is quite similar, they differ principally in rate of effectiveness, rate of elimination and, to some extent, degree of toxicity. The more commonly used barbiturates can be divided into two groups: the shorter acting drugs, consisting of pentobarbital sodium, amytal and secondary butyl beta bromallylbarbituric acid sodium salt, and the longer acting group, consisting of phenobarbital, neonal, ipral, a barbital derivative with amidopyrine, dial and barbital. In general, all are somewhat more rapid in their action if combined with sodium. The degree of toxicity has been worked out by Barlow,1who gave the order of toxicity, from high

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