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Introduction
Pentobarbital (Nembutal) is a short-acting barbiturate sedative-hypnotic that is widely used in veterinary practice for anaesthesia and euthanasia. It is also recommended as a drug for euthanasia or assisted suicide due to its rapid onset of coma and perception of a peaceful death. Pentobarbital being a peaceful method of suicide have led to increased interest in obtaining it from jurisdictions where it is less regulated .
Pentobarbital Sodium, is in a group of drugs called barbiturates. Barbiturates are nonselective central nervous system depressants. Nembutal is commonly used to slow the activity of the brain and nervous system. It is used short-term to treat insomnia, although the drug seems to lose its effectiveness within a two -week period. Nembutal can also be used as an emergency treatment for seizures, and to cause someone to fall asleep for surgery. When used for seizures, it is most often seen in the treatment of acute episodes relating to meningitis, eclampsia, tetanus and status epilepticus. Nembutal also has an application in reducing intracranial pressure in Reye’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury and induction of coma in cerebral ischemia patients.
Being in the barbiturate family, the drug has the potential to be habit forming. Tolerance to the drug, as well as physical and psychological dependence can occur with continual use. In high doses, pentobarbital causes death by respiratory arrest. In the United States, the drug has been used for executions of humans. It is also one of the most popular drugs in euthanasia and drug assisted suicide, as it is known for being reliable and swift in its lethal effects.
Side Effects of Nembutal
As Nembutal falls into the barbiturate drug category, it is capable of producing a wide variety of side effects including all levels of CNS mood alteration from mild hypnosis to a deep coma. While in certain doses, the drug has an anesthesia effect, too much of the drug will produce death.
Common side effects include:
Problems with memory or concentration,
Excitement,
Irritability,
Aggression
Confusion,
Loss of balance or coordination,
Nightmares,
Nausea,
Vomiting,
Constipation,
Headache,
Serious side effects can include:
Hallucinations,
Weak or shallow breathing,
Slow heart rate,
Weak pulse,
Respiratory depression.
The dosage of Nembutal is determined by the patient’s age, weight, and condition. Nembutal may interact with other medications, including blood thinners, doxycycline, other seizure medications, MAO inhibitors, griseofulvin, birth control pills, hormone replacement estrogens, or steroids. The drug should not be used by someone who is pregnant or breast-feeding. As Nembutal may be habit-forming, the drug should not be stopped suddenly after long-term use, or severe withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Abuses of Nembutal
Pentobarbital products are classified as Schedule II Controlled Substances by the United States government and state governments. This classification means pentobarbital is among the most highly addictive drugs on the market today.
Nembutal is considered habit forming and an individual can develop psychological and physical dependence quickly. This dependence is often the result of increases in dosage or decreases in dosage intervals without consulting a physician. A person who develops a dependence on Nembutal can easily display signs very similar to those of an individual dealing with chronic alcoholism. When acute intoxication is present, a person will display physical symptoms including unsteady gait, slurred speech, and involuntary eye movements. Mental signs of chronic intoxication include confusion, poor judgment, irritability, insomnia, and other sleeping issues.