Barbiturates (urine)

General Information

Barbiturates are sedative, hypnotic substances derived from barbituric acid that depress the functioning of the central nervous system. According to the time of action, this group is divided into very short, short, medium duration and long acting barbiturates.

This group of drugs is characterized by anti-epileptic, anxiety-relieving and hypnotic effects.

Barbiturates are easily absorbed from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. Their concentration and distribution in tissues depends on the degree of solubility in fat and the ability to bind to proteins.

Most barbiturates are metabolized in the liver via side chain oxidation, nitrogen dealkylation, and/or thiobarbiturate desulfurization.

The degree of metabolism in the liver depends on the type of drug: secobarbital undergoes intense oxidation into pharmacologically inactive metabolites, while barbital and phenobarbital are excreted unchanged in the urine.

Excessive consumption of barbiturates causes disturbances in movement coordination, perception, thought processes, euphoria, changes in consciousness, stupor and coma. Combining barbiturates with alcohol, opiates, and other CNS depressants can cause respiratory center depression and sometimes death.

Material for examination: urine

Referral norm: Negative

A positive indicator indicates the presence of the substance in the urine