barbiturate
nounUS /ˌbɑɹˈbɪt͡ʃu.ɪt/ · /ˌbɑː(ɹ)ˈbɪt͡ʃəɹɪt/
Etymology Borrowed from German Barbiturat, equivalent to barbituric + -ate.
1
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Organic chemistry, Physical sciences Any salt or ester of barbituric acid.
2
Medicine, Pharmacology, Sciences Any of derivatives of barbituric acid that act as depressants of the central nervous system and are used as sedatives or hypnotics.
- Following the “Summer of Love” in 1967, amphetamines and barbiturates began to replace psychedelics as the dominant drugs used in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, and increasing numbers of individuals were treated at the Haight-Ashbury Free Medical Clinic for complications following barbiturate use.1977, Donald R. Wesson, David Elvin Smith, Barbiturates, their use, misuse, and abuse, New York: Human Sciences Press, →ISBN, page 9:
- Chlorpromazine should be taken with caution in combination with barbiturates, sleeping pills, narcotics, or any other medication which may produce a depressive effect. Avoid alcohol.1979, Harold M. Silverman, Gilbert I. Simon, “Chlorpromazine”, in The Pill Book […] , 1st edition, New York: Bantam Books, →ISBN, page 56:
1 more example
- Seconal is the commercial name of the barbiturate quinalbarbitone. Its generic name is secobarbital. […] Dr Iqbal gave her another prescription for barbiturates and, three weeks later, wrote out one more after a telephone conversation.2001 October 14, Jason Burke, “Death of a princess”, in The Observer, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 10 May 2014:
- Derived terms
- barbituratism, cultural barbiturate, deoxybarbiturate, nonbarbiturate, oxybarbiturate, thiobarbiturate
- Related terms
- amphetamine