Pentobarbital is a short-acting barbiturate that is available as both a free acid and a sodium salt, the former of which is only slightly soluble in water and ethanol.[1] One trade name for this drug is Nembutal®, coined by Dr. John S. Lundy, who started using it in 1930, from the structural formula of the sodium salt—Na (sodium) + ethyl + methyl + butyl + al (common suffix for barbiturates).[2]
Pentobarbital's FDA approved human uses include treatment of seizures and preoperative (and other) sedation; it is also approved as a short-term hypnotic.[3]
In France, it is used in the treatment of insomnia, and as a preanesthetic.[4]
Unapproved/Investigational/Off-Label
Off-label uses of pentobarbital include reduction of intracranial pressure in Reye's syndrome, traumatic brain injury[1] and induction of coma in cerebral ischemia patients.[3]
Veterinary medicine
In veterinary medicine, sodium pentobarbital—traded under names such as Sagatal—is used as an anaesthetic.[5] Pentobarbital is an ingredient in Equithesin.
Veterinary Euthanasia
It is used by itself, or more often in combination with complementary agents such as phenytoin, in commercial animal euthanasia[6] injectable solutions. Trade names include Euthasol, Euthatal, Beuthanasia-D and Fatal Plus.
Human Euthanasia
Pentobarbital has also been used for physician-assisted suicide. Pentobarbital was used for this purpose in the Northern Territory of Australia, prior to euthanasia becoming illegal. It is also commonly used in Oregon for physician assisted suicide. [7] It is also used by Dignitas (euthanasia group) The actor George Sanders committed suicide with Nembutal in 1972
Folklore
A pentobarbital suppository was cited in an October 2006 news article in WorldNetDaily.com as the cause of death of Marilyn Monroe.
The Beatles were accused[citation needed] of writing their 1966 hit Yellow Submarine while under the psychoactive effects of Nembutal, though band members denied the allegations.
The Clash makes a reference to it in the song The Right Profile from the album London Calling in which the lyrics read "Nembutal numbs it all, But I prefer… alcohol!"
^ ab Pentobarbital. San Diego Reference Laboratory: Technical Help. Retrieved on 16 July, 2005.
^ Lee C. Fosburgh (1997). "Imagining in Time: From this point in time: Some memories of my part in the history of anesthesia -- John S. Lundy, MD". American Association of Nurse Anesthetists Journal65 (4): 323-8. PubMed.
^ abc Deglin, Judith Hopfer; April Hazard Vallerand [1988] (2004-06-01). Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses, 9th edition, F. A. Davis Company, 789. ISBN 978-0-8036-1154-2. Retrieved on 2005-07-16.
^ VIDAL (2001). PENTOBARBITAL SODIQUE. Banque de Données Automatisée sur les Médicaments. Retrieved on May 2, 2006.
^ UBC Committee on Animal Care (2005). Euthanasia. SOP 009E1 - euthanasia - overdose with pentobarbital. The University of British Columbia. Retrieved on 4 October, 2005.
^ Unknown (2003). ANESTHESIA AND ANALGESIA. Animal Use Protocols. University of Virginia. Retrieved on 4 October, 2005.
^ Goodenough, Patrick (2002-03-26). Campaigners Rally Round Right-To-Die Woman. CNSNews.com. Retrieved on July 22, 2006.
^ Knodell, R. G.; Spector MH, Brooks DA, Keller FX, Kyner WT. (December 1980). "Alterations in pentobarbital pharmacokinetics in response to parenteral and enteral alimentation in the rat". Gastroenterology79 (6): 1211-6. PMID 6777235.
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