pentobarbital

pharmacology

Also known as: Nembutal

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

Pentobarbital is a granular barbiturate compound, C₁₁H₁₈N₂O₃, first used in 1931. It is typically administered in the form of its sodium or calcium salt. In medicine, pentobarbital functions as a sedative, hypnotic, and antispasmodic drug.1

Barbiturates, as a class, are organic compounds derived from barbituric acid. They act by depressing the central nervous system, affecting the brain and other body tissues. While they can induce sleep in larger doses, they have largely been superseded by benzodiazepines due to fewer adverse effects and lower abuse potential. Short-acting barbiturates like pentobarbital are used to help individuals fall asleep. Prolonged use of pentobarbital can lead to tolerance and physiological dependence, with overdose potentially causing coma or death due to severe central nervous system and respiratory depression.2

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sedative-hypnotic drug
…trade names), amobarbital (Amytal), and pentobarbital (Nembutal). When taken in high-enough doses, these drugs are capable of producing a deep unconsciousness that makes them useful as general anesthetics. In still higher doses, however, they depress the central nervous and respiratory systems to the point of coma, respiratory failure, and death.…
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…trade names), amobarbital (Amytal), and pentobarbital (Nembutal). When taken in high-enough doses, these drugs are capable of producing a deep unconsciousness that makes them useful as general anesthetics. In still higher doses, however, they depress the central nervous and respiratory systems to the point of coma, respiratory failure, and death.…
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barbiturate
Short-acting barbiturates, such as pentobarbital and secobarbital, are used to overcome difficulty in falling asleep. Ultrashort-acting barbiturates, such as thiopental sodium and thiamylal, are used intravenously to induce unconsciousness smoothly and rapidly in patients about to undergo surgery, after which gaseous anesthetics are used to maintain the unconscious state.
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Short-acting barbiturates, such as pentobarbital and secobarbital, are used to overcome difficulty in falling asleep. Ultrashort-acting barbiturates, such as thiopental sodium and thiamylal, are used intravenously to induce unconsciousness smoothly and rapidly in patients about to undergo surgery, after which gaseous anesthetics are used to maintain the unconscious state.
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