366 Pentobarbital
does not appear to cause birth defects. Nonetheless pregnant women are sup-
posed to avoid the drug.
Additional information.Some capsule formats of Nembutal (pentobarbital
sodium CAS RN 57-33-0) contain FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can
cause asthma attacks or other allergic responses in sensitive persons, partic-
ularly if someone has adverse reactions to aspirin. Cafergot PB is a combi-
nation of bellafoline, caffeine, and ergotamine tartrate. The combination was
tested with and without pentobarbital sodium to determine effect on migraine
headache. Presence of pentobarbital not only enhanced reduction of pain but
also helped treat anxiety, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, and low tolerance
of light.
Additional scientific information may be found in:Cole-Harding, S., and H. de Wit. “Self-Administration of Pentobarbital in Light and
Moderate Alcohol Drinkers.”Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior43 (1992):
563–69.
Hambly, G., C. Frewin, and B. Dodd. “Effect of Anticonvulsant Medication in the Pre-
school Years on Later Language Development.”Medical Journal of Australia 148
(1988): 658, 661–62.
Mintzer, M.Z., et al. “Ethanol and Pentobarbital: Comparison of Behavioral and Sub-
jective Effects in Sedative Drug Abusers.”Experimental and Clinical Psychophar-
macology5 (1997): 203–15.
Pickworth, W.B., M.S. Rohrer, and R.V. Fant. “Effects of Abused Drugs on Psychomotor
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Pierce, James I. “Drug-Withdrawal Psychoses.” American Journal of Psychiatry 119
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