[Barbiturates as hypnotics].

Barbiturates had been playing an important role in treating insomnia for more than 100 years. To date, benzodiazepines and related compounds seem to be superseding the role of barbiturates because of their relative safeness. In this article, a brief summary on barbiturates as hypnotics is described including the history of development, mechanism of action, and disadvantageous pharmacological properties that limit application as sleep-inducing medication. Unrecognized problems concerning barbiturate prescription in Japan are also discussed.