I just wanted to correct the line about sedation, that barbiturates can be used. This is not true anymore today (and isn't true since the invention of benzodiazepines).
Barbiturates can be used to introduce a coma, to prevent a DT in ethanol dependant persons, or (this is where it's mostly used today!) to kill animals painless by falling asleep and stopping to breath.
Also, medically assisted suicides done with the help of organizations like Dignitas and Exit.
Benzodiazepines are the first option for sedation and anxyiolysis. You can see this presented at House very regularly, a line often said is "2mg Ativan i.V." or "2 mg Lorazepam i.v." which is the same, the former is a brand name.
This is mostly due to a better sideeffect profile than the one of the barbiturates, although dependance occures as well (after weeks of continous, daily usage) and withdrawal is dangerous if done without medical assistance.
Leodan 21:47, 23 February 2008 (UTC)