As originally formulated in 1977, the typical lethal injection consisted of sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide, and potassium chloride. Shortages of these drugs in the 21st century, however, resulted in four distinct protocols among U.S. states where the death penalty was legal. These differed with respect to the number and kinds of drugs used (some used three drugs and some just one; some used sodium thiopental and some pentobarbital).
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