Pentobarbital (injection)
Generic name: pentobarbital (injection) [ PEN-toe-BAR-bi-tal ]
Brand names: Nembutal Sodium, Nembutal
Dosage form: injectable solution (50 mg/mL)
Drug class:Barbiturates
What is pentobarbital?
Pentobarbital is used short-term to treat insomnia, or to cause you to fall asleep for surgery.
Pentobarbital is also used as an emergency treatment for seizures.
Pentobarbital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not use phenobarbital if you have severe liver disease or a history of addiction to drugs similar to phenobarbital.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use pentobarbital if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
a history of porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
liver disease;
kidney disease;
temporary or chronic pain; or
an addiction to phenobarbital or similar medicines.
Pentobarbital may harm an unborn baby. If you use pentobarbital during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Phenobarbital can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using a non-hormonal birth control (condom, diaphragm with spermicide) to prevent pregnancy.
Sedatives used during surgery may affect brain development in a young child or unborn baby (when used in the mother), leading to learning or behavior problems later in life. Long surgeries or repeated procedures pose the highest risks.
Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed shortly after you receive pentobarbital.
How is pentobarbital given?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Pentobarbital may be habit-forming. Never share pentobarbital with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Pentobarbital is injected into a muscle, or into a vein through an...
