PHENOBARBITAL

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does phenobarbital mean? 

• PHENOBARBITAL (noun)
  The noun PHENOBARBITAL has 1 sense:

1. a long-acting barbiturate used as a sedative

  Familiarity information: PHENOBARBITAL used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PHENOBARBITAL (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A long-acting barbiturate used as a sedative

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

Luminal; phenobarbital; phenobarbitone; purple heart; sodium thiopental

Hypernyms ("phenobarbital" is a kind of...):

barbiturate (organic compound having powerful soporific effect; overdose can be fatal)

 Context examples 

The determination of the amount of phenobarbital present in a sample.

(Phenobarbital Measurement, NCI Thesaurus)

Phenobarbital binds to and activates the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor, thereby mimicking the inhibitory actions of GABA in the brain.

(Phenobarbital, NCI Thesaurus)

A combination preparation containing the belladonna alkaloids atropine sulfate, hyoscyamine sulfate, and scopolamine hydrobromide, and the barbiturate phenobarbital with antispasmodic, anxiolytic and sedative activities.

(Belladonna/Phenobarbital, NCI Thesaurus)

Phenobarbital binds to a distinct site on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A subtype receptor in the central nervous system (CNS), thereby increasing the influx of chloride ions into the neuron and potentiating GABA-induced increases in chloride conductance.

(Belladonna/Phenobarbital, NCI Thesaurus)