barbiturates

Definition of barbiturate
National Cancer Institute

barbiturate

(bar-BIH-chuh-rayt)
A type of drug that causes a decrease in brain activity. Barbiturates may be used to treat insomnia, seizures, and convulsions, and to relieve anxiety and tension before surgery. A barbiturate is a type of central nervous system (CNS) depressant.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms