How Long Do Barbiturates Stay in Your System

How Long Do Barbiturates Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Print How Long Do Barbiturates Stay in Your System? By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on December 14, 2015 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on June 28, 2019 Tom Grill / The Image Bank / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Prescription Medications Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Opioids Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery Barbiturates are sedative-hypnotic drugs may be prescribed for controlling seizures, acute migraine, and in medical anesthesia. They are very hazardous for interacting with alcohol and opiates while any trace of barbiturates is still in your system. If you are prescribed barbiturates, you need to know how to avoid interactions and overdoses.?? How Long Barbiturates Remain in Your System If you have been prescribed barbiturates and you will be having a toxicology screen for employment or other purposes, be sure to disclose to the testing authority which medications you are taking. Barbiturates are part of the typical screening panel. By disclosing your prescriptions the lab and pathologist will be able to better interpret the results.?? Several factors are involved in determining how long barbiturates are detectable in the body, including which kind drug test is being used.?? Detection Windows Depending on the type of test used, barbiturates can be detected for as long as:Blood: 72 hoursSaliva: 3 daysUrine: 6 weeksHair follicle: 3 months There are a number of factors that play a role in how long barbiturates can be detected in your system, including your body mass index, hydration levels, age, food intake, sex, metabolism, the amount taken, and the frequency of use.?? How Long Barbiturates Affect You Because barbiturates come in many different formulations, they vary quite a bit in how long they stay in your system.?? Barbiturates come in short-acting and intermediate-acting formulations. Amobarbital and butalbital are intermediate-acting while pentobarbital and secobarbital are short-acting. This influences how long they stay in your system. The shorter-acting varieties have a short half-life and are eliminated from the body faster. Discuss the time frames of the specific drug with your doctor. Other medications and substances can influence the effect that barbiturates have. Tell your doctor about any other prescriptions or other substances you are taking so your dosage can be adjusted. Never start or stop taking any medication without discussing it with your doctor. Substances that may interact with barbiturates include medications for anxiety, depression, pain, asthma, colds, or allergies, blood thinners, hormone replacement therapy, oral steroids, and any sleeping pills.?? Do not drink alcohol while taking barbiturates until your doctor has said it is allowable. There is a large danger of overdose when you drink alcohol while any barbiturates are still in your system.?? When taking a prescription of a barbiturate such as phenobarbital, do not suddenly stop taking it or you may go through withdrawal.?? It is important that you work with your doctor for an appropriate dosing schedule if the medication is going to be discontinued. Barbiturate Dependence Can Develop at Prescribed Doses Types of Barbiturates Common types are Amytal (amobarbital), Fiorinal (butalbital), Nembutal (pentobarbital), Donnatal (phenobarbital), and Seconal (Secobarbital).   Besides appropriate medical uses, they are also diverted as drugs of abuse, either by themselves or mixed with other drugs. Street names for barbiturates include downers, blue heavens, yellow jackets, purple hearts, reds, and rainbows.?? You can  look up the specific drug  you are taking to see the precautions for that medication on the Medication Guide on the FDA website. Preventing Barbiturate Intoxication or Overdose Barbiturates work by slowing activity in the brain. They cause relaxation and sleepiness.  Because Barbiturates are depressants, even low doses can cause someone to seem like they are drunk or intoxicated.?? The risk of overdose is great, especially when combined with alcohol or opiates. Mixing with those substances can result in overdose, coma, and death. If you are prescribed barbiturates, discuss this with your doctor. Symptoms of Barbiturate Intoxication and Overdose Symptoms of barbiturate intoxication and overdose can include:?? Altered level of consciousnessDifficulty thinkingDrowsiness  or  comaFaulty judgmentIncoordinationShallow breathingSlowness of speechSluggishnessSlurred speechStaggering If someone you know has taken an overdose and seems extremely tired or has breathing problems, call 9-1-1 or the National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222). Recognize the Signs of a Drug Overdose