Are Barbituates and Benzodiazepines the same kind of drug, or are they related to each other some how???

Answer 1

They are similar in effect, though they are different chemically and come from separate chemical families. Both of them generally act on GABA-A neuroreceptors in the brain, which generally has relaxing effects. However, barbituates act as GABA-A agonists - that is, they bind the receptor and mimic the action of the neurotransmitter GABA; benzodiazepines on the other hand bind a different subunit of the receptor and make it more sensitive to the action of the GABA neurotransmitter. Thus, both have the same general effect (activation of the GABA neuroreceptor), but through different mechanisms.

Answer 2

Barbiturates are central nervous system depressants that are based on the barbituric acid molecule, and are used to treat insomnia and relieve anxiety. They are rarely prescribed anymore because they are physically addictive. The user develops a tolerance, which means they need greater amounts to get the same effect, but the amount they need to take to get a lethal dose does not increase. The difference between an effective dose and an overdose becomes very small.

Benzodiazepines are tranquilizers also. Drugs like Xanax (alprazolam) and Valium (diazepam) are benzodiazepines. Most chemical names for benzodiazepines end with "--pam". Rohypnol (flunitrazepam), aka "Roofies," are another type of benzodiazepine that are no longer legally available in the US.

The basic molecular structures of barbiturates and benzodiazepines look nothing alike. Do a search for the molecular structures of each and you will see that (can't post them here). The only similarity they have is that they're both tranquilizers.

Answer 3

They are definitely not the same. The lethal to effective ratio with barbs is dangerously slim, about 10-20.

BARBS are all derivatives of barbituric acid, the different side-chains exerting remarkable differences, from compound to compound, in the onset and duration of hypnotic activity. Veronal was the first, prepared by Fischer in 1902-1903. Many people have died from deliberate, or, unintentional overdose.

When the great drug inventor Leo Sternbach, working at Roche in the '50s, held off throwing out an ineffective antibiotic and testing instead for tranquilizing action, Librium was born. Klonopin, Ativan and Valium followed in quick succession, entering the market in 1963. Sternbach had been sent away from Switzerland during ww2, because he was Jewish. Roche was afraid the Nazis might get him and set he and his wife up in Fair Lawn, NJ at their USA HQ. Sternbach was rightfully proud of discovering a class of drugs with which it is nearly impossible to overdose.
I think barbs act on GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) receptors, as do alcohol and GHB.
While many people say benzos act on GABA receptors, it seems like special receptors specific to benzos have been discovered.

Although barbs are all based on a 6-membered ring, and benzos on a benzene ring fused to a 7-membered ring, both classes have two nitrogens in a ring. You might research the pharmacophore associated with benzodiazepines for a better understanding of how benzos, and maybe barbs also, work.

Answer 4

they're similar, but act differently