title: Thermodynamic interpretation of synergism in barbiturate/ethanol poisoning.
abstract: Ethanol and barbiturate drugs behave as non-specific depressants of the central nervous system (Ferguson substances). Their interaction can therefore be understood quantitatively by the application of thermodynamic theory. It is unnecessary to postulate specific biochemical mechanisms for the observed synergism. A similar situation should exist for any pair of Ferguson substances.
mesh_terms: D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood*; D001463:Barbiturates / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D004357:Drug Synergism; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D001463:Barbiturates; D000431:Ethanol