Talbutal (Lotusate) is a

barbiturate Barbiturates are a class of depressant, depressant drugs that are chemically derived from barbituric acid. They are effective when used medication, medically as anxiolytics, hypnotics, and anticonvulsants, but have physical and psychological a ...

with a short to intermediate duration of action. It is a

structural isomer In chemistry, a structural isomer (or constitutional isomer in the IUPAC nomenclature) of a compound is a compound that contains the same number and type of atoms, but with a different connectivity (i.e. arrangement of bonds) between them. The ...

of butalbital. Talbutal is a schedule III drug in the U.S.

Pharmacology

Talbutal is a short to intermediate-acting barbiturate. Barbiturates act as nonselective depressants of the

central nervous system The central nervous system (CNS) is the part of the nervous system consisting primarily of the brain, spinal cord and retina. The CNS is so named because the brain integrates the received information and coordinates and influences the activity o ...

(CNS), capable of producing all levels of CNS mood alteration from excitation to mild sedation, hypnosis, and deep coma. In sufficiently high therapeutic doses, barbiturates induce

anesthesia Anesthesia (American English) or anaesthesia (British English) is a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical or veterinary purposes. It may include some or all of analgesia (relief from or prev ...

Mechanism of action

Talbutal binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl⁻ ionophore at the GABA_A receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl⁻ ionophore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged.

Toxicity

Symptoms of acute barbiturate poisoning include drowsiness, confusion, coma, respiratory depression,

hypotension Hypotension, also known as low blood pressure, is a cardiovascular condition characterized by abnormally reduced blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps out blood and is ...

, and shock.

References

Barbiturates Allyl compounds Sec-Butyl compounds {{sedative-stub