Question

Which of the following statements are correct about barbiturates?
A. Hypnotics or sleep producing agents
B. These are tranquilizers
C. Non-narcotic analgesics
D. Pain reducing without disturbing the nervous system

Answer 1

Barbiturate is a chemical compound. It is prepared from barbituration. Chemically, barbituric acid is known as malonyl urea. When malonic acid and urea is treated with phosphorus oxychloride, barbituric acid is obtained. The solution contains two correct options.

Complete step by step solution:
The preparation of barbituric acid is given in the chemical equation below:

Barbiturate is a drug molecule. When we consume barbiturates, we feel symptoms like dizziness, breathlessness and low heart rate.
This drug molecule generally acts upon the central nervous system. We know that the hypnotics are the compounds which produce sleep.
Barbiturates are used as depressants which have a direct effect on the brain. It is used for headaches which is caused due to tension. It has group actions like sedation, hypnosis, antiepileptic, anticonvulsant, hyperalgesia, amnesia and automatism.
Also, it has several acts on several parts of the body like the respiratory system, liver, kidneys etc. They are also used for narco analysis, and neonatal jaundice. It produces mild sedation to anesthesia which leads to sleep.
Thus we can say that the barbiturates are hypnotics and tranquilizers. The term tranquilizers means depressants.

Hence, the correct options are A and B.

Note: Nowadays, barbiturates are used rarely because of its overdose. Several deaths were reported due to its overdose. When we use them regularly, we cannot stop its usage immediately. This can even risk death. It has several side effects like chest pain, fever, joint pain, swelling of face, lips or throat and bleeding.