pentobarbital

[ pen-tuh-bahr-bi-tawl, -tal ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a barbiturate, C 1 1 H 1 7 N 2 O 3 , used as a hypnotic and as a sedative.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pentobarbital¹

1930–35; pent- ( def ) + -o- + barbital

Example Sentences

A shortage of pentobarbital has forced some states to improvise, often with gruesome consequences.

From The Daily Beast

That means it will need to get pentobarbital from a compounding pharmacy, another source of concern, experts say.

From The Daily Beast

Therefore in 2011, manufacturers of pentobarbital stopped selling the product to states, creating a second shortage.

From The Daily Beast

Oklahoma used pentobarbital—but reportedly obtained it from a compounding pharmacy.

From The Daily Beast