User:Mr. Ibrahem/Barbiturate overdose
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Barbiturate overdose is poisoning due to excessive doses of barbiturates.[8] Symptoms typically include difficulty thinking, poor coordination, decreased level of consciousness, and a decreased effort to breathe (respiratory depression).[1] Complications of overdose can include noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.[2] If death occurs this is typically due to a lack of breathing.[3]
Barbiturate overdose | |
---|---|
Other names | Barbiturate poisoning, barbiturate toxicity |
Molecular diagram of phenobarbital | |
Specialty | Emergency medicine |
Symptoms | Decreased breathing, decreased level of consciousness[1] |
Complications | Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema[2] |
Duration | 6-12 hours[2] |
Causes | Accidental, suicide[3] |
Diagnostic method | Blood or urine tests[4] |
Treatment | Breathing support, activated charcoal[5][6] |
Frequency | Uncommon[7] |
Barbiturate overdose may occur by accident or purposefully in an attempt to cause death.[3] The toxic effects are additive to those of alcohol and benzodiazepines.[3] The lethal dose varies with a person's tolerance and how the drug is taken.[3] The effects of barbiturates occur via the GABA neurotransmitter.[2] Exposure may be verified by testing the urine or blood.[4]
Treatment involves supporting a person's breathing and blood pressure.[2][5] While there is no antidote, activated charcoal may be useful.[5][6] Multiple doses of charcoal may be required.[7] Hemodialysis may occasionally be considered.[6] Urine alkalinisation has not been found to be useful.[6] While once a common cause of overdose, barbiturates are now a rare cause.[7]