Pentobarbital was discovered in 1930 and, while no longer considered a synonym for “anesthetic” in rats, it remains in general use. Pentobarbital produces dose-related respiratory depression and cardiovascular depression.

When was phenobarbital first used?

Phenobarbital (phenobarbitone) was first used as an antiepileptic drug 100 years ago, in 1912.

When was Nembutal invented?

One brand name for this drug is Nembutal, coined by John S. Lundy, who started using it in 1930, from the structural formula of the sodium salt—Na (sodium) + ethyl + methyl + butyl + al (common suffix for barbiturates).