What is NOT a usual use for barbiturates?

Barbiturates are a class of medications that are primarily used for their sedative and anxiolytic properties. They are commonly prescribed to manage anxiety, induce sleep, and in some cases, to treat seizures due to their anticonvulsant properties.

The use of barbiturates as local anesthetics is not typical or standard practice. Local anesthetics work by blocking nerve impulses in a specific area of the body to prevent pain during surgical procedures or minor medical interventions. While there are medications that can induce sedation and have anesthetic properties, barbiturates are not specifically used for this purpose in current clinical practice. Instead, agents like lidocaine or bupivacaine are preferred for local anesthesia.

Therefore, the option regarding the use of barbiturates as a local anesthetic is indeed not a usual use, distinguishing it from their recognized roles in treating seizures, managing anxiety, and inducing sleep.