Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 20, 2026

Construction of Vapor Chambers Used to Expose Mice to Alcohol During the Equivalent of all Three Trimesters of Human Development
Published on: July 13, 2014
The Role of Barbiturates for Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
Katherine Martin1, Andrew Katz2
1From Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa FL; Department of Psychiatry, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA (KM).
Background:
Benzodiazepine-resistant cases of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are common, and therefore alternate treatments are needed.
Objective:
Our aim was to conduct a systematic review of published reports on the use of barbiturates for alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Methods:
We performed a systematic literature search of PUBMED for relevant citations that described the use of barbiturates either alone or in conjunction with other pharmacological agents to treat alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Results:
A total of 15 citations were identified; 2 citations looked at barbiturates alone; 1 found barbiturates effective in an emergency department setting at treating seizures and preventing return visits. A second showed that barbiturates caused a relatively low rate of respiratory depression. Further, 5 citations compared barbiturates with benzodiazepines; 1 suggested that they were better at treating severe withdrawal, and another showed they were more effective at preventing seizures; 4 citations found they were as effective as benzodiazepines, but 1 found a higher rate of respiratory depression. Also, 3 citations compared a combination of barbiturates and benzodiazepines to benzodiazepines alone; 1 showed decreased ventilation, another showed fewer intensive care unit admissions, and a third showed better symptom control; 3 citations described detailed reports of barbiturate protocols. Lastly, 2 citations compared barbiturates with other agents and found them equivalent.
Conclusion:
Barbiturates provide effective treatment for alcohol withdrawal syndrome. In particular, they show promise for use in the emergency department and for severe withdrawal in the intensive care unit. Respiratory depression does not appear to be exceedingly common. Additional studies are needed to clarify the role of barbiturates in alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
Depressants
Alcohol is a common depressant that can induce a sense of relaxation and reduced inhibition at low doses. Contrary to its occasional...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...

