Acute and chronic barbiturate intoxication recent advances in therapeutic management.

The increase of addiction to barbiturates and in the number of deaths from overdoses constitutes a growing and serious health problem. Although the symptoms of both acute and chronic barbiturate intoxication resemble those of other drug intoxications, correct diagnosis can be made through an accurate history, a physical examination and the finding of increased nonprotein nitrogen in the blood and of a characteristic fast pattern in an electroencephalogram. Metrazol® and electrostimulation, with adjuvant therapy, are discussed as the most advantageous methods of treating acute barbiturate intoxication; the addition of emetics to barbiturates to prevent overdosage is considered. Carefully controlled withdrawal and psychiatric rehabilitation are necessary to treatment of addiction, but as patients are usually uncooperative the prognosis is poor.