Veronalum

Barbitalum; Barbitone; 5,5-Diethylbarbituric acid; Diethylmalonylurea; 5,5-diethyl-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-pyrimidinetrione (IUPAC: 5,5-diethylpyrimidine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione). C8H12N2O3, CAS 57-44-3, PubChem CID 2294. · Veronal; Barbital; Barbitone; "Veronal" (Bayer trade name); sodium salt formerly "Medinal" (Schering)

Modern MM

A minor "modern" drug remedy of the barbiturate class. Sphere of action centers on the central nervous system (narcosis, "drunken" stupor, staggering, sleep) and the skin (drug eruptions). Its homeopathic indications derive from a single brief toxicological comparison note, not from a systematic proving.

Key symptoms

Drawn from the brief Boericke comparison note (attributed to Dr. Varney) and from general toxicology, NOT from a proving: an intoxicated, "drunken" state as from pure alcohol — staggers, cannot stand up. Cutaneous: confluent reddish spots; dermatitis; itching of the glans and prepuce; circumscribed dermatitis patch on the first metacarpophalangeal joint. In overdose, the substance's known toxic action is deep narcotic sleep and stupor passing to coma. These are characteristic toxicological features and a single source's comparison note, not verified homeopathic keynotes.

Worse (aggravation)

Not established. No reliable proving-derived modalities exist.

Better (amelioration)

Not established. No reliable proving-derived modalities exist.

Manohar V Nagaiah

Materia Medica of Modern Homeopathic Medicine · 2026

Veronal; Barbital; Barbitone; "Veronal" (Bayer trade name); sodium salt formerly "Medinal" (Schering)

Source & Nature

Veronalum is the homeopathic name for barbital (barbitone), the first commercially marketed barbiturate sedative-hypnotic. It is the simplest barbiturate: 5,5-diethylbarbituric acid (diethylmalonylurea), molecular formula C8H12N2O3, CAS 57-44-3, PubChem CID 2294. It was first synthesized in 1902 by Emil Fischer and Joseph von Mering (published 1903) and introduced by Bayer in 1904 under the trade name "Veronal" (named after the Italian city of Verona); its soluble sodium salt was marketed by Schering as "Medinal." Chemically it is an odorless, slightly bitter, white crystalline powder. Pharmacologically it is a long-acting CNS depressant of the barbiturate class, used commercially as a hypnotic/sedative for insomnia from c.1904 until the mid-20th century, when it was superseded by safer agents.

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Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.