secobarbital—exclusively available as Valeant's Seconal in the U.S.—became almost the only option for doctors writing lethal prescriptions for patients who qualified for medical aid-in-dying. But as 2015's price hike by Valeant underlined, affordable access is far from guaranteed. Secobarbital belongs to a class of drugs known as barbiturate hypnotics. It works by affecting certain parts of the brain to calm you. It was a sedative drug similar to barbiturates and quickly became a popular recreational drug.
secobarbital—exclusively available as Valeant's Seconal in the U.S.—became almost the only option for doctors writing lethal prescriptions for patients who qualified for medical aid-in-dying. But as 2015's price hike by Valeant underlined, affordable access is far from guaranteed. Secobarbital belongs to a class of drugs known as barbiturate hypnotics. It works by affecting certain parts of the brain to calm you. It was a sedative drug similar to barbiturates and quickly became a popular recreational drug. Because of its high abuse potential, the DEA outlawed it in 1984. Today, Quaalude is an illegal drug that goes by many names, such as Mandies and Quack. More About Drugs That Affect the Brain and Nervous System. Pentobarbital is a short‐acting barbiturate central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which is available only for veterinary applications in Canada. The drug, which is also known by the trade name Nembutal, is listed on Schedule IV of the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances. Barbiturates are Prescription Only drugs under the Medicines Act. This means they can only be sold from a pharmacy in accordance with a doctor's prescription. Secobarbital is used on a short-term basis to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). It is also used to relieve anxiety before surgery. Secobarbital is in a class of medications called barbiturates. It works by slowing activity in the brain.