Barbiturates act as central nervous system depressants. Barbiturates are derivatives of a chemical called barbituric acid. Various barbiturate drugs are available in the market; however, all have sedative effect on the central nervous system and are clinically prescribed for anxiety. Barbiturates are also used in the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, and status epilepticus. Barbiturate drugs are available in pill form and can be taken orally and intravenously. Barbiturates are subjected to the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act in the U.S. Hence, manufacture and distribution of these drugs are strictly controlled. Barbiturate drugs act by enhancing the activity of one of the primary neurotransmitters in the brain known as gamma amino butyric acid (GABA). An increase in GABA has a sedative effect on the user’s brain. The effect of barbiturate lasts between 4 hours and 16 hours, depending on the type and strength of the dose.
Barbiturates become dangerous when combined with other depressants such as alcohol. There is a high risk of dependency from regular use of barbiturate drugs. This can be a physical dependency, psychological dependency, or both. The amount required for overdose varies from person to person. A lethal dose of barbiturate drug ranges from 2 mg to 3 mg with drugs such as amobarbital. Barbiturate drugs are addictive and highly dangerous because of the way these remain in the body. Larger doses and long term use of barbiturates produce withdrawal symptoms including hallucination, seizure, and suicidal thoughts. Overdose of barbiturates resulted in 396 deaths in the U.S. in 2010. Treatment for overdose of barbiturates includes antidote such as liquid charcoal and kidney dialysis. Barbiturate drugs can be divided into three classes depending on how long the effect of the particular barbiturate lasts: ultra-short acting barbiturate (thiopental and methohexitone), short-acting barbiturates (pentobarbitone and butobarbitone), and long acting barbiturates (phenobarbitone).
Rise in prevalence of insomnia and increase in geriatric population are projected to drive the global Barbiturate Drugs Market during the forecast period. Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder affecting nearly 35% of the global population. Moreover, rise in prevalence of epilepsy and anxiety in developed countries due to high work associated stress, personal relationship problems, and genetic aspects would further boost barbiturate drugs market in these regions. However, risk of suicide due to overdose and side effects of drugs are projected to restrain the global barbiturate drugs market during the forecast period. Moreover, weak pipeline of novel drugs and entry of generic variants are expected to hamper the growth of the market in the next few years.
Request to View Brochure of Report -
The global barbiturate drugs market can be segmented based on drug type, disease type, route of administration, distribution channel, and region. In terms of drug type, the global market can be categorized into ultra-short acting barbiturate, short-acting barbiturate, long-acting barbiturate, and combination drugs. Based on disease type, the global barbiturate drugs market can be classified into epilepsy, insomnia, and sedation. In terms of route of administration, the global market can be bifurcated into oral and injectable. Based on distribution channel, the global barbiturate drugs market can be divided into online pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and hospital pharmacies.
Comments
Post a Comment