01 Oct
Extensively used as hypnotics, sedatives and anesthetics. Readily absorbed from stomach. Duration of action of barbiturates, in therapeutic doses varies from: 8-16 hours (long acting, e.g., phenobarbital); 4-8 hours (intermediate acting, e.g., amobarbital); 3-6 hours (short acting, e.g., pentobarbital). Barbiturates may enhance other CNS depressants, such as ethanol, morphine derivatives, tranquilizers, and resperine.