secobarbital
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A short-acting barbiturate drug, specifically a barbiturate derivative, used as a sedative and hypnotic. It is typically a white, odorless, slightly bitter powder and is commonly administered as its sodium salt to induce sleep or treat certain convulsive conditions.
Usage
Secobarbital is used medically for the short-term treatment of insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic sedative. Its use is highly controlled due to its potential for dependence and overdose. - The doctor prescribed secobarbital sodium for severe insomnia. - Secobarbital is a Schedule II controlled substance in many countries.
Examples
- Secobarbital was once commonly used for surgical anesthesia.
- Due to its risks, secobarbital has largely been replaced by safer medications.
- An overdose of secobarbital can depress the central nervous system to a fatal degree.
Advanced Usage
- Chemical Compound: In pharmacology, refers to the specific chemical compound 5-allyl-5-(1-methylbutyl)barbituric acid.
- Historical Context: was a drug of abuse in the mid-20th century, often referred to by its brand name "reds" or "red devils" when in capsule form.
Variants and Related Words
- Secobarbital sodium (n): The more soluble sodium salt form of the drug, used for injection or oral administration.
- The emergency kit contained secobarbital sodium for intravenous use.
- Seconal (n): A former prominent brand name for secobarbital, often used colloquially to refer to the drug itself.
Synonyms
- Sedative-hypnotic: A general class of drugs that depress the central nervous system to calm or induce sleep.
- Barbiturate: The broader class of drugs to which secobarbital belongs.
Notes
Secobarbital is a specific drug name. It is not typically used in phrasal verbs or idioms. Its primary context is medical, historical, or regulatory.
Noun
- barbiturate that is a white odorless slightly bitter powder (trade name Seconal) used as a sodium salt for sedation and to treat convulsions