secobarbital

pharmacology

Also known as: Seconal

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Secobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate used as a sedative and hypnotic. Barbiturates are a class of organic compounds derived from barbituric acid, which depress the central nervous system. They were widely used for their calming and sleep-inducing effects, as well as in anesthesia.

While long-acting barbiturates like phenobarbital are used for epilepsy, short-acting ones such as secobarbital are prescribed for difficulty falling asleep. However, due to potential for tolerance, dependence, and severe side effects like coma and death from overdose, barbiturates have largely been replaced by safer alternatives like benzodiazepines. Prolonged use, especially of secobarbital, can lead to physiological dependence and withdrawal symptoms.12

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sedative-hypnotic drug
…commonly prescribed kinds were phenobarbital, secobarbital (marketed under Seconal and other trade names), amobarbital (Amytal), and pentobarbital (Nembutal). When taken in high-enough doses, these drugs are capable of producing a deep unconsciousness that makes them useful as general anesthetics. In still higher doses, however, they depress the central nervous and…
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…commonly prescribed kinds were phenobarbital, secobarbital (marketed under Seconal and other trade names), amobarbital (Amytal), and pentobarbital (Nembutal). When taken in high-enough doses, these drugs are capable of producing a deep unconsciousness that makes them useful as general anesthetics. In still higher doses, however, they depress the central nervous and…
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barbiturate
…barbiturates, such as pentobarbital and secobarbital, are used to overcome difficulty in falling asleep. Ultrashort-acting barbiturates, such as thiopental sodium and thiamylal, are used intravenously to induce unconsciousness smoothly and rapidly in patients about to undergo surgery, after which gaseous anesthetics are used to maintain the unconscious state.
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…barbiturates, such as pentobarbital and secobarbital, are used to overcome difficulty in falling asleep. Ultrashort-acting barbiturates, such as thiopental sodium and thiamylal, are used intravenously to induce unconsciousness smoothly and rapidly in patients about to undergo surgery, after which gaseous anesthetics are used to maintain the unconscious state.
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