Barbiturates poisoning effect

5. Poisoning: Barbiturate poisoning has been a leading cause of death resulting from drug overdoses for many decades. Severe depression of respiration is coupled with central cardiovascular depression and results in a shock-like condition with shallow, infrequent breathing. Treatment includes artificial respiration and purging the stomach of its contents if the drug has been recently taken. [Note: No specific barbiturate antagonist is available.] Hemodialysis may be necessary if large quantities have been taken. Alkalinization of the urine often aids in the elimination of phenobarbital.