Tag: Pentobarbital

As a potent central nervous system (CNS) depressant, pentobarbital belongs to the barbiturate class of medications. Its classification as a Schedule II controlled substance in the United States highlights its high potential for abuse and dependence, which dictates its restricted medical use.

First introduced in 1903, barbiturates were once widely used but have largely been replaced by safer alternatives due to a high risk of dependence and overdose. So, what drugs are considered a barbiturate and why are their classifications important for understanding their effects and risks?

An estimated 9% of Americans will abuse a barbiturate at some point in their lives [1.2.5]. This class of central nervous system (CNS) depressants, while less common today, carries significant risks. To understand their impact, it's essential to know **what drugs are barbiturates** and how they work.

Over 5% of drug-related adverse events are a result of medication errors, often stemming from miscommunication or ambiguous terminology. The term "pental injection" is particularly prone to such ambiguity, as it does not refer to a single specific medication but could be a misheard or shortened name for several different drugs, including pentobarbital, pentazocine, or pantoprazole. Each of these has distinct medical uses and pharmacological properties, making accurate identification crucial for patient safety.

In the 1990s, the street name 'yellow jackets' referred to two vastly different substances: the potent prescription barbiturate pentobarbital and the widely available herbal stimulant ephedra [1.2.1, 1.3.1]. What were yellow jacket pills in the 90s? The answer depends on context, covering both sedative abuse and the controversial dietary supplement market.

According to one study, 11% of males and 23% of females who misuse sedative-hypnotics die by suicide, highlighting the risks of the drugs behind the slang 'dolls' [1.2.5]. So, what drug are dolls, and what is their place in pharmaceutical history?