noun
- a barbiturate drug used as a sedative, hypnotic, or anesthetic; also used in veterinary medicine and historically in capital punishment
Usage: medical/pharmaceutical term; often used in plural form 'pentobarbital' or 'pentobarbital sodium'; controlled substance in most jurisdictions
Examples
- The veterinarian administered pentobarbital to euthanize the injured animal humanely.
- Pentobarbital was once commonly prescribed as a sleeping aid before safer alternatives became available.
- The drug pentobarbital acts as a central nervous system depressant.
- Medical professionals must follow strict protocols when handling pentobarbital due to its controlled status.
- Pentobarbital sodium is sometimes used in hospital settings for anesthesia induction.