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DEPRESSANT
(DOWNERS)
Drepressant are
usually known a "downers", which are drugs that
act on the nervous system promoting relaxations and sleep.
Some of the drugs classified under the dpresant are:
- Barbiturates - drugs
most frequently prescribed to introduced sedation and
sleep by both doctors and veterenarians. Small dosage
of barbituates tend to calm nervous conditions while
larger dozes can cause sleep 20 to 60 minutes after
taking it orally. An overdose of barbiturates may progress
through stages of sedation, sleep, and "comma"
to death from respiratory arrest and cardiovascular
complications. Barbiturates are classified as
- Ultrashort-acting (Hexobarbital)
- Intermediate-acting (Secobarbital)
- Short-acting (Pentobarbital)
- Long-acting (Methobarbital)
- Methaqualone - is a synthetic
sedative which has been widely abuse and often cuse
serious poisoning. It is taken orally and is
rapidly absorb from the digestive tract. Large doses
can cause "comma", accompanied by convulsions.
Heavy use of this drug leads to tolerance and dependence.
It is known in the U.S. as Qualude, Parest,
Mequin, Optimil, Somnafac, and
Sopor, while its European Equivalent is "Mandrax".
EFFECT
OF DEPRESSANTS
- A usual dose of a barbiturates
cause a calming, relaxing effect which promotes sleep.
Other notable reaction are:
- Relief of anxiety and excitement
- Reduce physical and mental
activity
- A marked decrease in breathing
- Barbiturates are used to
reduce the frequency of convulsions in epileptic.
- An overdose of barbiturates
produce the fallowing reactions:
- Unconsciousness and decrease
breathing
- Deepening unconsciousness
leading to "coma"
- Accidental poisoning occurs
when a person taking barbiturates inadvertently take
a second dose. Anothher cause of accidental poisoning
is when alcohol is taken together with barbiturates.
This combination is lethal, even in a small amount.
ABUSE
OF BARBITURATES
Barbiturates are usually abuse
in two ways:
- The use of the drug had developed
a tolerance to the drug and thus, increases the dosage
to feel the desire effects.
- For added thrill the barbiturate
is injected as a substitute to other drugs being abused,
specially amphetamines. Barbiturates can produce both
phsychological and phsycal dependence.
FIRST
AID TREATMENT
- Keep an open
airways to allow breathing and give the victim artificial
respiration when needed
- Maintain
normal body temperature
- Take the
victim to the nearest doctor or hospital
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