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

Mr Crew, who died aged 74, reportedly told nurses "I want to die today" before drinking water laced with barbiturates under the supervision of Dignitas.

From BBC

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