Amytal Addiction, Abuse, And Treatment

What Is Amytal (Amobarbital)?

Amytal is a popular brand name for the barbiturate derivative amobarbital. Barbiturates, including Amytal, are sedative-hypnotics used to treat sleep disorders or as pre-anesthetic agents for surgeries in a medical or hospital setting. In smaller doses, barbiturates can be used as anticonvulsants.

Amytal is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that works in the brain by increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, which calms nerves, relaxes muscles, slows CNS activity, and induces sleep. Amytal is not as commonly abused as it once was, but its common street names include:

• Downers
• Reds
• Redbirds
• Blue devils
• Heavenly blues
• Blue heaven
• Bluebirds
• Blue velvets

Given its high potential for abuse, Amytal is a Schedule II controlled substance with severe restrictive medical use. Although the tablet (oral) form has been discontinued and is not approved for general use by the FDA, an injectable form was still recently available. However, major manufacturers have stopped producing it, with Bausch Health discontinuing its injectable form in 2024.

What Is Amytal (Amobarbital) Used For?

Amytal is rarely used today, and although the intravenous form is not banned, it is only used in very restrictive medical settings, such as brain function tests for epilepsy. Before the FDA banned the oral tablet of Amytal, Amytal was used to treat insomnia, anxiety, and seizure disorders, and was also used in anesthesia before surgery.

Is Amytal Still Prescribed?

No. The FDA has banned the oral form of Amytal, so it is no longer prescribed.

Amytal and other barbiturates, in general, have been replaced with benzodiazepines and Z drugs for treating insomnia and anxiety.

What Are The Effects Of Amytal (Amobarbital)?

Like many CNS depressants, Amytal may be abused for its sedative effects. Amytal induces an intoxicating “buzz” similar to that of alcohol or benzodiazepines when taken at unprescribed doses.

• At lower doses, Amytal causes reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, a false sense of confidence, and euphoria.
• At higher doses, the individual will appear intoxicated or drunk, with slurred, overly excited speech, reduced inhibitions, staggered walk, unsteady gait, and poor coordination.

Due to heavy federal regulation and the drug’s abnormal strength, using Amytal without a prescription or in a manner other than prescribed is considered abuse. Side effects of Amytal include:

Individuals who abuse Amytal are also at an increased risk of experiencing reduced inhibitions and impaired motor function. Many users report blacking out and engaging in risky behaviors, such as driving while intoxicated.

Amytal Overdose

Amytal can easily cause an overdose due to its potency. As a barbiturate, it slows down brain activity, breathing, and heart rate, triggering coma or even death.

Combining Amytal with other CNS depressants, like alcohol or benzodiazepines, increases the odds of overdose. Other dangerous side effects of heavy use of CNS depressants include aspiration, whereby one vomits while sleeping and is unable to release it from the body due to a suppressed gag and cough reflex, thus causing one to choke on their own vomit.

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Is Amobarbital A Truth Serum?

Amobarbital has a reputation for being a truth serum; however, it has been found unreliable.

This drug lowers inhibitions and increases emotional outbursts, making people more talkative and more likely to divulge information. However, it’s possible that not all this information is true. Experts have found that many people may make up events or have false memories of past events during these episodes.

Is Amytal Addictive?

Amytal has a high abuse potential due to its sedative and euphoric effects and therefore has an increased risk for dependence and addiction. An addiction to Amytal can develop rapidly, which is why the FDA and the DEA banned the oral form and categorized Amytal as a Schedule II controlled substance.

Someone suffering from an Amytal addiction might “doctor shop,” or visit multiple physicians to acquire more of the drug. Others may try to get illicit Amytal pills from a street dealer. These users have probably developed a physical and psychological dependence on the drug over a period of continued use.

Amytal alters the brain’s natural chemistry, leading to tolerance (usually after 2 weeks or more of regular use). Once a tolerance has developed, the user will need to take larger doses more frequently to achieve the same desired effect. With tolerance comes dependence, which is when the user has to continue using Amytal to feel normal and avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Medical professionals and addiction specialists utilize the criteria outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to assess whether an individual is suffering from a mild, moderate, or severe substance use disorder (SUD).

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Treatment For Barbiturate Addiction

Barbiturates like Amytal are extremely risky to quit “cold turkey” because of the chemical changes they cause to the brain. Suddenly stopping Amytal use can shock the body with severe, life-threatening withdrawal symptoms depending on the length and intensity of use. Muscle pains, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and mental confusion can arise in less drastic cases.

Although Amytal addiction is less common than some other addictions, there are still many treatment options for overcoming it. Medically-administered detox is the safest process of eliminating Amytal (and any other drugs that may be present) from the body and reducing the negative side effects of withdrawal.

If you are exploring treatment options for Amytal or barbiturate addiction, contact a treatment provider or visit our rehab directory today to learn more.