[Clinical assessment and therapy of barbiturate poisoning (based on 2 case reports)]

The clinical features, complications and course of barbiturate poisoning are described and illustrated by two case histories in order to recommend therapeutic guidelines on the basis of practical experience. For the intensive care physician it is essential to get information on the composition of barbiturate-containing drugs as rapidly as possible in order to determine the correct therapeutic management. A table is presented of the components of the most commonly used barbiturates.