An overdose of barbiturates typically leads to what outcome?

• A. False
• B. It can include respiratory arrest, coma, and death
• C. It can cause only mild sedation
• D. It leads to other effects

Answer: (B)

Barbiturate overdose causes profound CNS depression that can suppress the brain’s control of breathing, potentially leading to respiratory arrest, coma, and death. These drugs amplify GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride flow into neurons and markedly dampening neural activity. When the dose is high enough, this suppression reaches the brainstem areas that regulate respiration and consciousness, so breathing becomes slow or stops, consciousness fades to coma, and blood pressure can fall. Because of this potent respiratory depressant effect, the risk rises with alcohol or other sedatives used together. Clinically, overdose shows as slurred speech, ataxia, reduced alertness, slowed or stopped breathing, and possibly coma. Management focuses on supportive care—securing the airway, helping ventilation, and monitoring hemodynamics—since there is no specific antidote for barbiturates.