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pentobarbital (Nembutal)

Tradename: Nembutal. DEA-controlled substance: class 2. Indications: - sedation (sedative/hypnotic) - high doses used for treatment of cerebral hypoxia - increased intracranial pressure [3] - seizures, status epilepticus [3] - general anesthesia [3] - tetanus [3] Dosage: 30-150 mg PO/IV/IM/PR TID/QID. Pediatrics: 2-6 mg/kg/day. Tabs: 50 & 100 mg. Suppositories: 30, 60, 120, 200 mg. Adverse effects: 1) CNS depression 2) confusion 3) drowsiness 4) ataxia 5) coma 6) respiratory depression 7) shock 8) urticaria 9) tolerance & physical dependence Drug interactions: -> coadministration of valproic acid may increase barbiturate concentrations Laboratory: 1) specimen: a) serum, plasma (heparin, EDTA) b) stable refrigerated or frozen 2) methods: GLC, GC-MS, HPLC, EIA 3) interferences: EIA: secobarbital, phenobarbital 4) labs with Loincs - pentobarbital in specimen - pentobarbital in hair - pentobarbital in tissue - pentobarbital in body fluid - pentobarbital in gastric fluid - pentobarbital in saliva - pentobarbital in serum/plasma/blood - pentobarbital in blood - pentobarbital in serum/plasma - pentobarbital in stool - pentobarbital in meconium - pentobarbital in urine

Interactions

drug adverse effects (more general classes)

General

sedative/hypnotic (tranquilizer)

Properties

MISC-INFO: elimination route LIVER KIDNEY 1/2life 15-28 HOURS therapeutic-range 1-5 UG/ML 20-50 UG/ML protein-binding 65% elimination by hemodialysis - hemoperfusion + pregnancy-category D safety in lactation ?

Database Correlations

PUBCHEM correlations

References

  1. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed. Gilman et al, eds. Permagon Press/McGraw Hill, 1996
  2. Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 3rd ed. Teitz ed., W.B. Saunders, 1995
  3. Deprecated Reference

Component-of

belladonna alkaloid/caffeine/ergotamine/pentobarbital caffeine/ergotamine/pentobarbital (Cafergot PB) pentobarbital/phenytoin