barbiturates

1. Substances derived from an organic compound that are used as sedatives and sleep inducers. Barbiturates, which work by depressing the activity of the central nervous system , are sometimes used in the treatment of illnesses such as epilepsy .

Example Sentences

Next came Jimi Hendrix, a guitarist extraordinaire who overdosed on barbiturates in 1970.

From Los Angeles Times

Ure died from an accidental overdose of alcohol and barbiturates in 1975, and Shaw died of a heart attack three years later.

From New York Times

How can you walk away when there's a woman in the hospital on barbiturates?

From Scientific American

Doctors said he died of a heart attack, which was likely brought on by his addiction to prescription barbiturates.

From BBC

At 2 months old, Perry was given barbiturates to stop him from crying.

From Washington Post