MRCEM Notes

Barbiturates

Barbiturates in the management of anxiety, seizures and as an induction agent.

Mechanism of action
  • facilitate GABAA action by increasing the duration of chloride channel opening

GABAA drugs
  • benzodiazipines increase the frequency of chloride channels
  • barbiturates increase the duration of chloride channel opening

Frequently Bend - During Barbeque

...or...

Barbidurates increase duration & Frendodiazepines increase frequency
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