Pentobarbitone sodium |
![]() Last updated: 16/09/2025 |
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(Also known as: pentobarbital sodium) |
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A barbituate veterinary drug used as euthenasia and antiseizure medication | |
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Used for euthenasia and as antiseizure medication | |
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Dogs; Cats; Mink; Small mammals |
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Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V) | |
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Approved |
Chemical structure |
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Pentobarbitone sodium exhibits chiral isomerism, due to the presence of a stereocentre at the C-5 position of its barbiturate ring. This stereocentre allows for the existence of two enantiomers: (R)-pentobarbitone and (S)-pentobarbitone. Commercial pentobarbitone sodium is typically used as a racemic mixture. However, studies have shown that the S(-)-isomer may be slightly more potent in producing sedative effects compared to the R(+)-isomer, although both contribute to the overall clinical profile. | |
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C₁₁H₁₇N₂NaO₃ | |
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CCCC(C)C1(C(=O)NC(=NC1=O)[O-])CC.[Na+] | |
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QGMRQYFBGABWDR-UHFFFAOYSA-M | |
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InChI=1S/C11H18N2O3.Na/c1-4-6-7(3)11(5-2)8(14)12-10(16)13-9(11)15;/h7H,4-6H2,1-3H3,(H2,12,13,14,15,16);/q;+1/p-1 | |
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Yes |
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Common Name | Relationship | Link |
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pentobarbitone | Parent | ![]() |
General status |
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Medicinal drug: seizure control, euthenasia | |
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Barbituric acid derivative | |
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Synthetic | |
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Binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABAA receptor | |
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[Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit alpha-1, alpha2, alpha3, alpha4, alpha5 & alpha6, Potentiator], [Neuronal acetylcholine receptor subunit alpha-4 & alpha7, Antagonist], [Glutamate receptor 2, Antagonist] | |
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57-33-0 | |
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200-323-9 | |
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23676152 | |
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Products for animal euthanasia: Barbituates; Antiepileptics/barbiturates and derivatives and is usually used as the sodium salt | |
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QN51AA01; QN03AA02 | |
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UK: Class B, Schedule 3; EU: UN71, Class III | |
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248.25 | |
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sodium;5-ethyl-4,6-dioxo-5-pentan-2-yl-1H-pyrimidin-2-olate | |
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sodium;5-ethyl-4,6-dioxo-5-pentan-2-yl-1H-pyrimidin-2-olate | |
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Commercial |
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Current | |||
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1864, barbituric acid discovered; 1972, controlled drug status USA; 1993, first approvals UK | |||
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Usually formulated as a solution for injection | |||
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The production of pentobarbitone sodium begins with the synthesis of the barbiturate core, typically derived from malonic acid derivatives and urea through a condensation reaction that forms the barbituric acid ring. To introduce the specific side chains at the 5-position, namely, an ethyl and a 1-methylbutyl group, alkylation reactions are carried out using appropriate alkyl halides. Once the desired pentobarbitone base is formed, it is converted into its sodium salt by reacting with sodium ethoxide or sodium hydroxide in ethanol or water. | |||
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Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used. |
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As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below. | ||||||||||
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Fate indices |
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Known metabolites |
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Terrestrial ecotoxicology |
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170 | V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) Mouse3 = Unverified data of known source |
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General |
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170 | V3 V = ChemID Online Databases; Chemspider; PubChem. (ChemID ) Mouse3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Hepatic metabolism mainly eliminated in the urine | A3 A = EU regulatory and evaluation data as published by EC, EFSA (RAR, DAR & Conclusion dossiers), EMA (e.g. EU Annex III PIC DGD) (EU - Pesticides database; EFSA Scientific Publications ) 3 = Unverified data of known source |
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Health issues |
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May induce a sedative & hypnotic effect CNS toxicant Possible liver and kidney toxicant |
Handling issues |
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Will emit toxic fumes when heated to decomposition | |||
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Not listed (Not listed) | |||
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pentobarbitone sodium | ||
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Record last updated: | 16/09/2025 |
Contact: | aeru@herts.ac.uk |
Please cite as: | Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242 |