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Drug group - Barbiturates
Street names
Chewies, seccies, tuies
Brand name
Tuinal. (Flynn), Seconal Sodium. (Flynn)
Drug effect
Depressant (downer). Effects last for 3 to 6 hours
Description
Orange/blue capsule (100mg) - Tuinal.
Orange capsule (50mg/100mg) - Seconal Sodium.
Therapeutic use
Insomnia
Street use
Swallowed and injected
Dependency
Yes
Withdrawal
Withdrawal begins within 24 hours, peaks after 2 days and fades after 8 days. Symptoms include irritability, insomnia, fainting, nausea and delirium. Sudden withdrawal can result in seizures which can be fatal. Sleeplessness can continue for 5 to 6 weeks.
Long term use
Pneumonia and bronchitis
Insomnia
Impaired memory, judgement and co-ordination
If injected - infection risk, circulatory damage, abscesses and ulceration caused by irritant nature of drug.
Overdose risk
Overdose deaths are common amongst heavy users. Heavy users may overdose with 10 times the normal therapeutic dose. There is also a risk of death due to hypothermia. Overdose risk increases if barbiturates are mixed with other drugs such as cocaine, opiates or alcohol.
Legal status
Prescription Only Medicine
Class B, Schedule 2
Class A if prepared for injection
Illegal to possess without a prescription and to supply to others.
SPECIAL NOTE
Tuinal. is a dangerous drug because of overdose risk, seizures following sudden withdrawal, and hypothermia risk.