sodium thiopental

Also known as thiopental sodium, sodium pentothal, sodium thiopentobarbital, sodium pentothiobarbital, sodium thiopentone, thiopentone sodium, penthiobarbital sodium, monosodium 5-ethyl-5-(1-methylbutyl) thiobarbiturate

group of stereiosimers

Key facts

Trade names: Pentothal, others
Other names: Truth serum, thiopentone, thiopental
Ahfs drugs com: Monograph
Pregnancy category: Australia"}]]}'>AU : D
Routes of administration: Intravenous , by mouth , rectal
Drug class: Barbiturate
Atc code: N01AF03 ( WHO ) N05CA19 ( WHO )
Legal status: Australia"}]]}'>AU : S4 (Prescription only) Brazil"}]]}'>BR : Class B1 (Psychoactive drugs) Canada"}]]}'>CA : Schedule IV United Kingdom"}]]}'>UK : Class B United States"}]]}'>US : Schedule III
Protein binding: 80%
Metabolism: Liver
Metabolites: Pentobarbital , others
Onset of action

Article

Pentothal vintage package

Sodium thiopental, also known as thiopental sodium or thiopentone and sold under the brand name Pentothal, is a rapid-onset short-acting barbiturate general anesthetic. It is the thiobarbiturate analog of pentobarbital, and an analog of thiobarbital. Sodium thiopental is a therapeutic alternative on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It was the first of three drugs administered during most lethal injections in the United States until the US division of Hospira objected and stopped manufacturing the drug for this purpose in 2011, and the European Union additionally banned the export of the drug for this purpose. Although thiopental abuse carries a dependency risk, its recreational use is rare.