Pronunciation: feen-oh-BAR-bi-tall
Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number: 50-06-6
Formal Names: Arco-Lase Plus, Donnatal, Gardenal, Luminal, Phenobarb, Phenobarbitone, Solfoton, Somnosan
Informal Names: Phennies, Phenos
Type: Depressant (barbiturate class).
Federal Schedule Listing: Schedule IV (DEA no. 2285)
USA Availability: Prescription
Pregnancy Category: D

Phenobarbital (Somnosan, Donnatal, Phenobarb, Luminal) Uses. This is one of the more familiar pharmaceuticals. For about a century it has been used as an anticonvulsant and was prescribed as a tranquilizer and as a migraine remedy, although all those functions are being superseded by more modern drugs. Phenobarbital is also given to treat cyclic vomiting in children and hyperbilirubinemia (a type of jaundice) in infants. The drug is used against epilepsy and against seizures with other causes, such as fever. The substance has cross-tolerance with alcohol and is given temporarily to help relieve withdrawal symptoms from opiates or alcohol. Despite acceptance of phenobarbital for that purpose, scientific proof is lacking for its usefulness in alcohol withdrawal. Read the rest of this entry »

Anti-anxiety drugs, or “anxiolytics,” are powerful central nervous system (CNS) depressants that can slow normal  brain function. They are often prescribed to reduce feelings of tension and anxiety, and/or to bring about sleep. Anti-anxiety medications are among the most abused drugs in the United States, obtained both legally, via prescription, and illegally, through the black market. These drugs are also known as sedatives.

The drugs associated with this class of substance-related disorders are the benzodiazepines [such as diazepam (Valium),  chlordiazepoxide (Librium), alprazolam (Xanax), triazolam (Halcion), and estazolam (ProSom)], the barbiturates [such as Seconal and pentobarbital (Nembutal)], and barbiturate - like substances including Quaalude, Equanil, and Doriden. Any of these drugs is capable of producing wakeful relief from tension, or sleep, depending upon dosage. Some non-psychiatric uses of anti-anxiety medications include treatment and prevention of seizures, muscle relaxants, anesthetics, and drugs to make other anesthetics work more effectively (known as “adjuvants”). Read the rest of this entry »