Barbiturates apnea with

The side effects of barbiturates include sedation, poor physical coordination, and impaired mental performance. They also potentiate the intoxicating effects of alcohol. Barbiturates can be extremely dangerous in overdose, causing anesthesia, coma, and even death. In addition, barbiturates can cause dangerous suppression of breathing in patients with sleep apnea or other respiratory disorders. With repeated use over just a few weeks, physical dependence and tolerance to their effects can develop, leading to increasing doses to maintain the desired therapeutic effect. If a... 

Side effects of benzodiazepines include sedation, dizziness, poor coordination, and, at higher doses, amnesia. Benzodiazepines also increase the effects of alcohol therefore, alcohol use should be avoided or markedly curtailed. Benzodiazepines can also exacerbate the breathing problems of patients with sleep apnea and other respiratory disorders such as emphysema. Like the barbiturates, long-term use of benzodiazepines can lead to physical dependence, and abrupt discontinuation can produce an unpleasant, or even dangerous, withdrawal syndrome. 

Respiratory Barbiturates are respiratory depressants. Induction doses of thiopental decrease minute ventilation and tidal volume with a smaller and inconsistent decrease in respiratory rate reflex responses to hypercarbia and hypoxia are diminished by anesthetic barbiturates at higher doses or in the presence of other respiratory depressants such as opiates, apnea can result. With the exception of uncommon anaphylactoid reactions, these drugs have little effect on bronchomotor tone and can be used safely in asthmatics. 

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