National Drugs Helpline 0800 77 66 00

Barbiturates

(Barb, Barbies, Blockbusters)

Barbiturates are a Class B drug and only available on prescription. Barbiturates are no longer subscribed for new users, as they are highly addictive and can result in death.

What does it look like?

Barbiturates can come as tablets, capsules, ampoules, suppositories or syrup.

How is it taken?

Can be swallowed, injected (either after mixing with water or not).

What effects does it have?

When taken:

The effects are similar to alcohol. A low dose can relax you and larger doses can make you feel more intoxicated (a drunk feeling) and drowsy. Your co-ordination will be affected, and you could become clumsy, or confused. Your speech will become slurred. If a much larger dose is taken, you could become unconscious, fall into a coma and die.

Longer term:

Long-term use could result in long bouts of intoxication with blackouts (memory loss), personality changes, irritability, disturbed sleep, nightmares, nausea, vomiting, weakness, tremors, extreme anxiety and severe depression.
Barbiturates can suppress the cough reflex, making you prone to chest infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
You can become psychologically and physically dependent.

Other facts:

Abrupt withdrawal could result in convulsions, anxiety, epileptic fits, hallucinations, fever and coma.
Mixing barbiturates with alcohol, heroin or tranquillisers can also result in death.

You risk overdose as a normal dose is very close to a fatal dose.
Barbiturates have been largely replaced by benzodiazepines (a tranquilliser).