In a retrospective study, based on a biochemical survey of people aged 65 and over in a general practice, subjects taking a barbiturate preparation for indications other than epilepsy had a significantly lower serum calcium concentration than did those taking nitrazepam or diazepam. Ordinary doses of barbiturate may adversely affect vitamin D metabolism in the elderly.

Neuroprotective agents may exert their effect by reducing cerebral oxygen demand (CMRO2), increasing cerebral oxygen delivery, or by altering ongoing pathological processes. Barbiturates provide neuroprotection by reducing the CMRO2 necessary for synaptic transmission while leaving the component necessary for cellular metabolism intact. Isoflurane may exert a neuroprotective effect by a similar...

INTRODUCTION There are many common drugs which have significant sedative-hypnotic properties. Alcohol and barbiturates have been discussed separately in this appendix, and their many pharmacological similarities were indicated. Barbiturates are often considered the prototype of sedative-hypnotic drugs; pharmacologically related compounds are frequently identified or discussed in terms of their ...

Drugs used to facilitate sexual assaults are typically those that rapidly render the potential victim unconscious or sedated, and produce memory loss or amnesia. Many of these drugs are difficult to detect due to a delay in biological specimen collection. Detection is further hampered as the drugs are often administered in single low doses and are rapidly and extensively metabolized, resulting ...

Barbiturates were introduced into medical practice in 1934. They are widely used today as general anesthetics. Although in vitro studies revealed that the activity of a variety of ligand-gated channels is modulated by barbiturates, the target(s) mediating the anesthetic actions of barbiturates in vivo are unknown. Studying pentobarbital action in beta3(N265M) mice harboring beta3-containing GAB...

A state-registered nurse acted as a whole-time investigator following patients through the preoperative night in hospital and questioning them in the morning, to assess the relative merits of different medications. Two new sedatives were compared with a standard barbiturate and a placebo, and information was collected from patients who elected to have no medication to help them sleep. Subjectiv...

Objective. To analyze the pattern of dysrhythmias and arterial blood pressure changes occurring in acute drug intoxications. Method. Retrospective study concerning medical records from six years, regarding patients from Toxicology Clinic of Emergency Hospital of Iasi, Romania, admitted for acute drug poisoning. Arterial blood pressure values and patterns of abnormal electrocardiogram occurring ...

• The effects of barbiturates on the cardiovascular system have been reported by many investigators. These effects include reduction of vagal inhibition of the heart rate,direct myocardial depression,and depression of pressor responses to sciatic nerve stimulation." Bouckaert and Heymans reported that the carotid sinus reflex in dogs is depressed by barbiturates. Several investigators have conc...