Butobarbital Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and more
Butobarbital is a sedative and a hypnotic drug.
Butethal (also known as butobarbitone and butobarbital) belongs to a group of medicines called the barbiturates. It is thought to act on receptors in the brain (GABA receptors) causing the release of the chemical GABA. This chemical inhibits certain areas of the brain resulting in sleepiness.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Trade Name | Butobarbital |
| Generic | Butobarbital |
| Butobarbital Other Names | Butethal, Butobarbital, Butobarbitone |
| Type | |
| Formula | C10H16N2O3 |
| Weight | Average: 212.2456 Monoisotopic: 212.116092388 |
| Groups | Approved, Illicit |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | |
| Last Updated: | January 7, 2025 at 1:49 am |
Uses
For the treatment of insomnia.
How Butobarbital works
Butethal binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABAA receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged. All of these effects are associated with marked decreases in GABA-sensitive neuronal calcium conductance (gCa). The net result of barbiturate action is acute potentiation of inhibitory GABAergic tone. Barbiturates also act through potent (if less well characterized) and direct inhibition of excitatory AMPA-type glutamate receptors, resulting in a profound suppression of glutamatergic neurotransmission.
Toxicity
Signs of overdose include confusion (severe), decrease in or loss of reflexes, drowsiness (severe), fever, irritability (continuing), low body temperature, poor judgment, shortness of breath or slow or troubled breathing, slow heartbeat, slurred speech, staggering, trouble in sleeping, unusual movements of the eyes, weakness (severe).
Elimination Route
Rapidly absorbed following oral administration.
Half Life
37 hours
