Long COVID Patterns in the RECOVER-Adult Study
November 21, 2025
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Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
pentobarbital
Class :
Barbiturates; Sedative/Hypnotics
Brand Name :
No Data Available.
Synonyms :
pentobarbital
Class :
Barbiturates; Sedative/Hypnotics
Dosage Forms & StrengthsÂ
Schedule II: injectable solutionÂ
50mg/mLÂ
Initial dose: 100 mg intravenous OR 150 to 200 mg intramuscular
To achieve full effect, administer small increments of the drug following at least a minute
Should not exceed more than 500 mg
Dosage Forms & StrengthsÂ
Schedule II: injectable solutionÂ
50mg/mLÂ
2 to 6 mg/kg Intramuscular once; Should not exceed more than 100 mg
2 to 6 mg/kg Intramuscular, OR
1 to 3 mg/kg Intravenous
Should not exceed more than 100 mg
Refer to the adult dosing regimenÂ
may increase the hypotensive effect of anti-hypertensive agents
may increase the hypotensive effect of anti-hypertensive agents
may increase the hypotensive effect of anti-hypertensive agents
may increase the hypotensive effect of anti-hypertensive agents
may increase the hypotensive effect of anti-hypertensive agents
may enhance the metabolism when combined with tricyclic antidepressants
may enhance the metabolism when combined with tricyclic antidepressants
may enhance the metabolism when combined with tricyclic antidepressants
may enhance the metabolism when combined with tricyclic antidepressants
may enhance the metabolism when combined with tricyclic antidepressants
may enhance the CNS depressant effect
may decrease the diagnostic effect when combined with metyrapone
may have an increased arrhythmogenic effect when combined with lamotrigine
It may diminish the effect when combined with lumateperone by affecting CYP3A4 metabolism
when both drugs are combined, there may be a decreased level of serum concentration of alpelisib   
when both drugs are combined, there may be a reduced effect of abemaciclib by affecting hepatic or intestinal enzyme cyp3a4 metabolism  
when both drugs are combined, there may be a reduced level or effect of romidepsin by affecting hepatic or intestinal enzyme cyp3a4 metabolism  
pentobarbital decreases the effect of ixazomib by altering intestinal/hepatic CYP3A4 enzyme metabolism
it increases the effect of CNS depressants
CNS depressants increase the effect of orphenadrine
it increases the effect of CNS depressants
it increases the effect of CNS depressants
methyldopa/hydrochlorothiazideÂ
may increase the hypotensive effect of blood pressure-lowering agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the risk of adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the risk of adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the risk of adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the risk of adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the risk of adverse/toxic effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may enhance the adverse effect of antipsychotic agents
may have an increased risk of adverse effects when combined with pentobarbital
barbiturates: they may increase the hypotensive effect of blood viscosity reducing agents
barbiturates: they may increase the hypotensive effect of blood viscosity reducing agents
The potential for increased CNS depression risk or seriousness occurs when pentobarbital is used together with pipecuronium
may enhance the metabolism when combined with tricyclic antidepressants
increases serum level of cabazitaxel by affecting the enzyme CYP3A4
they increase the effect of hypotension on other hypotensive agents
they increase the effect of hypotension on other hypotensive agents
they increase the metabolism of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of brexanolone
it increases the effect of CNS depressants
may increase the hypotensive effect of blood pressure-lowering agents
may have an increased risk of adverse effects when combined with pentobarbital
may increase the hypotensive effect of blood pressure-lowering agents
may increase the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents
may increase the effects of pharmacodynamic synergism
may decrease the hypotensive effect of Blood Pressure Lowering Agents
seizure lowering agents increase the toxic or adverse effects of other antipsychotic agents
seizure lowering agents increase the toxic or adverse effects of other antipsychotic agents
seizure lowering agents increase the toxic or adverse effects of other antipsychotic agents
seizure lowering agents increase the toxic or adverse effects of other antipsychotic agents
seizure lowering agents increase the toxic or adverse effects of other antipsychotic agents
an increase in CNS depression may be seen
they increase the metabolism of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
they increase the metabolism of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
they increase the metabolism of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
they increase the metabolism of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
they increase the metabolism of norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
CNS depressants increase the effect of zolpidem
seizure lowering agents increase the toxic or adverse effects of iopamidol
Actions and spectrum:Â
The spectrum of effects of pentobarbital ranges from mild sedation and relaxation to profound sedation, sleep, anesthesia, and suppression of seizures. The specific effects and dosages of pentobarbital can vary depending on the intended use, individual patient factors, and route of administration.Â
Frequency not definedÂ
BradycardiaÂ
AgitationÂ
CNS depressionÂ
DizzinessÂ
HeadacheÂ
NightmaresÂ
Somnolence (frequent)Â
Stevens-Johnson syndromeÂ
NauseaÂ
Agranulocytosis (rare)Â
liver Injury with prolonged use (rare)Â
ApneaÂ
Angioedema (rare)Â
HypotensionÂ
AtaxiaÂ
ConfusionÂ
Fever
HyperkinesiaÂ
NervousnessÂ
RashÂ
SyncopeÂ
VomitingÂ
Megaloblastic anemia (rare)Â
SLEÂ
HypoventilationÂ
Black Box Warning:Â
pentobarbital does not have any black box warning.Â
Contraindication/Caution:Â
Contraindication:Â
Caution:Â
Â
Comorbidities:Â
Pregnancy consideration: US FDA pregnancy category: DÂ
Lactation: Excreted into human milk: YesÂ
Pregnancy category:Â
Pharmacology:Â
pentobarbital is a barbiturate medication that acts as a central nervous system depressant. It primarily acts by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. pentobarbital binds to the GABA-A receptors, which are ion channels responsible for inhibitory neurotransmission, and facilitates the opening of chloride channels.
This leads to hyperpolarization of neurons, reduction in neuronal excitability, and overall sedative, hypnotic, and anticonvulsant effects. pentobarbital also has the ability to inhibit the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, further contributing to its sedative and anesthetic properties. It can affect various areas of the brain, including the cerebral cortex, limbic system, and brainstem, results in a wide range of effects such as sedation, induction of sleep, reduction of anxiety, and suppression of seizures. Â
Pharmacodynamics:Â
Pharmacokinetics:Â
AbsorptionÂ
pentobarbital can be administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, or rectally. The oral absorption of pentobarbital is variable and influenced by factors such as gastric emptying time and drug formulation. Parenteral routes provide more rapid and predictable absorption.Â
DistributionÂ
pentobarbital is widely distributed throughout the body, including the central nervous system, due to its high lipid solubility. It readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and placenta, and it is also distributed into breast milk. The drug gets extensively bound to plasma proteins, primarily albumin.Â
MetabolismÂ
pentobarbital undergoes hepatic metabolism via microsomal enzymes, primarily cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes. The major metabolic pathway is oxidative N-demethylation to form inactive metabolites. Other metabolic pathways include hydroxylation and conjugation reactions. Individual variations in hepatic enzyme activity can affect the rate of pentobarbital metabolism.Â
Elimination and excretionÂ
The elimination of pentobarbital occurs primarily through renal excretion. The drug and its metabolites gets eliminated in the urine. The elimination half-life of pentobarbital can range from several hours to several days, depending on factors such as age, liver function, and concurrent medications.Â
Administration:Â
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name: pentobarbitalÂ
Pronounced: (pen-toh-BAR-bi-tal)Â Â
Why do we use pentobarbital?Â
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