Medicinecontrolled

Pentobarbital

An injectable barbiturate used for sedation.

Clinical information

Common uses

sedation

Common side effects

drowsiness

Cautions

can be habit forming — dependence and withdrawal possible
too-rapid injection can dangerously slow breathing
not for people with porphyria or barbiturate allergy
can cause fetal harm and newborn withdrawal in pregnancy

Interactions

alcohol and other sedatives (additive drowsiness)
warfarin and oral anticoagulants (less effective)
corticosteroids (less effective)
oral contraceptives and hormones (less effective)
MAOI antidepressants (prolong its effects)
valproate (raises barbiturate levels)

Pregnancy: avoid — can harm the baby; newborn withdrawal reported

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, pentobarbital sodium label, setid d375b92a-baa1-4d63-9ad1-1467dcfde7d5 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations1

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Pentobarbital	Parenteral ( Injection- Solution )	200mg/ml	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	controlled