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Barbiturates

Barbiturate medicines are used to relieve anxiety, control seizures, or produce a state that is like sleep. Barbiturates slow breathing, lower blood pressure and body temperature, and slow thought processes and reaction times.

Frequent or long-term use of barbiturates may make a person physically dependent on them.

Common barbiturates include phenobarbital, pentobarbital, and secobarbital.

Current as of: May 1, 2026

Author: WebMD Ignite Staff

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