Barbiturates

Terminology

Barbiturates come packaged in a variety of dosages and under different names depending on how long the barbiturate lasts. Some barbiturates are slow acting; their effects may last for as long as two days, while intermediate-acting and ultra-fast-acting barbiturate effects may last for only a few minutes. Long-lasting barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital, are rarely subject to abuse; they do not produce immediate results. The short-acting barbiturates, for example, hexobarbital, are for intravenous anesthesia. The short-term and intermediate barbiturates are the preferred drugs of abuse.

Street addicts can inject orally administered barbiturates into a muscle or vein as a substitute for their drugs of choice. Heroin addicts may turn to barbiturates as a substitute when their preferred drug is unavailable. The following generic drug names and street jargon reveal the diversity of barbiturate abuse:

• Pentobarbital (Nembutal): Appears as a white powder on the street and is known as yellows, yellow jackets, Mexican yellows, nimbies, or nemmies. This drug serves as a hypnotic; pentobarbital is an antispasmodic for muscle tremors, but has potential for abuse.
• Amobarbital (Amytal): Appears as a white powder marketed in blue capsules and is known on the street as blues, blue devils, blue birds, blue heaven, blue velvet, or downers. Distribution is also possible in oblong pills in yellow, orange, and green. This barbiturate is an intermediate-acting sedative to control convulsions and seizures. This drug is both fast acting and long acting, having some potential for abuse.
• Secobarbital (Seconal): Appears as a white powder marketed in pink or red capsules and is known on the street as red devils, red birds, pinkies, pink ladies, seccies, lilly, or F-40s. This drug does not have anxiolytic qualities, but serves an effective sedative and anticonvulsant prescription.
• Amobarbital and Secobarbital (Tuinal): Appears as a white powder marketed in blue and red capsules and is known on the street as reds and blues, rainbows, double trouble, gorilla pills, F-66s, Christmas trees, or tooies. Distribution is also possible in colorful orange, brown, and blue tablets.

Symptoms of Abuse

Barbiturates produce a sense of well-being; however, they also reduce alertness and decrease reaction time. Barbiturate symptoms include euphoria, reduced anxiety, the relaxing of inhibitions, poor coordination, and dizziness. Barbiturate abusers often engage in high-risk behaviors, such as driving under the influence of the drug. The drug mimics the symptoms of alcohol such as euphoric highs, sleepiness, and passing out. Dosage increases can cause more sleepiness, and considerable stupor. Overdose may lead to depressed respiratory function, coma, and death. Because barbiturate overdose can lead to death, barbiturates are used as a suicide agent.

...