Which class of drugs are barbiturates? Barbiturates belong to the sedative-hypnotic drug class. Sedative hypnotics are drugs used to induce and/or retain sleep.Phenobarbital: Phenobarbitone has substantial use as an antiepileptic drug from the neonatal and pediatric populace. It's the most cost-effective drug cure for epilepsy in Grownups in low-u