Butabarbital

Butabarbital is a barbiturate drug with sedative and hypnotic properties, primarily used for the short-term treatment of insomnia and to alleviate anxiety, including pre-surgical anxiety. It functions as a non-selective central nervous system depressant by enhancing the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor, which prolongs chloride ion channel opening and leads to neuronal hyperpolarization. Additionally, it directly inhibits AMPA-type glutamate receptors and neuronal acetylcholine receptors, thereby suppressing excitatory neurotransmission. Butabarbital has a relatively fast onset and intermediate duration of action, and it is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance due to its potential for abuse and dependence.

Brand names

ButisolButisol SodiumButalanButicapsSarisolButabarbMebutal

Other names

secbutobarbitone sodiumButabarbitoneSecbutabarbitalSecbutabarbital SodiumSecbutobarbitoneSecumalum