Posted by Else on December 5, 2001, at 13:53:45
In reply to Re: Seconol? » Else, posted by Greg on December 4, 2001, at 15:32:52
> > > I was curious why you never hear of Seconol being rx'd as a sleep aid anymore? It was a big thing in the 60's (known as reds), but you just never hear of it anymore. I'm really curious if anyone here takes, or has taken it recently?
> > >
> > > Greg
> >
> > It's the best overdose drug that exists. I think some (rare) doctors prescribe it to terminal patients who want to die with dignity. Let's just say I don't think pdocs would be too fond of this one for obvious reasons.
>
> I did some further research on this and found that while it is somewhat rare, seconol (and nembutol) are prescribed for some patients (including those with depression) who suffer from acute insomnia. Being a barbituate and highly additive, it doesn't happen very often. As little as 3 mg can cause an overdose. My grandparents both took Seconol for sleep for years with no problems, neither of them had a terminal illness.
>
> I wonder why any doctor would rx a drug to OD a terminally ill patient when there are other options? Hmmm....What other options? I don't know what you mean. Anyway, this is by no means common practice and it's probably considered second-degree murder but I have heard it happens, usually for patients who have degenerative illnesses. I used to work at a drugstore and I remember seeing a prescription for 100 Dilaudid in the delivery basket. Probably more than enough to do yourself in. I am not saying this was this doctor's intent but the result might have been the same. The thing is very sick people who have been on strong opiates for a while are less likely to OD from these drugs than other people. They might have built up a tolerance to the respiratory depression. This does not happen with barbiturates. Your grand-parents were probably not abusers but these drugs are dangerous in the hands of drug abusers or suicidally depressed people. Nembutal killed Marilyn Monroe, Seconal killed Judy Garland. Of course, in order to OD you actually have to mis-use these drugs but psych patients are probably more likely to do this than most people.
Also, barbiturates can actually trigger depression. Phenobarbital, for instance, is known to have the potential to trigger depression in some of the epileptic patients who take it. Of course, in a hospital setting, these drugs might be useful but if I was a pdoc there is no way I would ever prescribe these. I would be too afraid of getting sued.
poster:Else
thread:85960
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86073.html