Amytal Sodium (Amobarbital Sodium Injection) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 24, 2012

Amytal Sodium

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Insomnia is defined as difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both, despite adequate opportunity and time to sleep, leading to impaired daytime functioning. Insomnia may be due to poor quality or quantity of sleep.

Insomnia is very common and occurs in 30% to 50% of the general population. Approximately 10% of the population may suffer from chronic (long-standing) insomnia.

Insomnia affects people of all ages including children, although it is more common in adults and its frequency increases with age. In general, women are affected more frequently than men.

Insomnia may be divided into three classes based on the duration of symptoms.

Insomnia lasting one week or less may be termed transient insomnia;
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AMYTAL® SODIUM
(amobarbital sodium) for Injection, USP

CAUTION: These products are to be used under the direction of a physician

The intravenous administration of Amytal® Sodium (Amobarbital Sodium for Injection, USP) carries with it the potential dangers inherent in the intravenous use of any potent hypnotic.

DRUG DESCRIPTION

The barbiturates are nonselective central nervous system (CNS) depressants that are primarily used as sedative hypnotics. In subhypnotic doses, they are also used as anticonvulsants. The barbiturates and their sodium salts are subject to control under the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

Amobarbital sodium is a white, friable, granular powder that is odorless, has a bitter taste, and is hygroscopic. It is very soluble in water soluble in alcohol, and practically insoluble in ether and chloroform. Amobarbital sodium is sodium 5-ethyl-5-isopentylbarbiturate and has the empirical formula C₁₁H₁₇N₂Na0₃. Its molecular weight is 248.26. It has the following structural formula: