Amobarbital
Amobarbital is a barbiturate derivative with sedative-hypnotic properties, first synthesized in Germany in 1923.1 Classified as a short to intermediate acting barbiturate,1 it has been used clinically for sedation, short-term insomnia management, and acute seizure control.2 Once widely misused, its popularity declined as benzodiazepines offered safer alternatives in overdose.2 Amobarbital carries a high risk of dependence with continued use,3 and dose-related central nervous system depression remains a primary safety concern.2
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Take on an empty stomach to increase absorption rate.
Duration
Subjective Effects
The amobarbital experience is dominated by heavy sedation and anxiety relief, producing an intoxication that closely resembles alcohol in its disinhibition, sloppiness, and impaired judgment. As the dose increases, cognitive impairment and physical incoordination become pronounced, and memory of the period after ingestion may become patchy or absent. There is little in the way of sensory alteration; the character of the experience is one of suppression rather than enhancement.
Physical
Powerful sedation, muscle relaxation, and a loss of motor coordination define the body experience, manifesting as staggering, clumsiness, and slurred speech. At overdose levels, breathing slows, heart rate drops, and body temperature falls.
Sedation
Uncomfortable
Cognitive
The headspace is clouded and disinhibited, with slowed thinking, reduced anxiety, and impaired judgment. Users may divulge information they would normally withhold, and anterograde amnesia is common at moderate to high doses.
Emotional
Suppressions
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Amobarbital acts primarily as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAA receptor, binding at the barbiturate site on alpha or beta subunits, which is distinct from both the GABA and benzodiazepine binding sites.4 This potentiates GABAergic inhibition by increasing chloride channel conductance and prolonging inhibitory postsynaptic currents.4 It also antagonizes AMPA and kainate-type glutamate receptors, reducing excitatory neurotransmission, and acts as an antagonist at neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha-4 and alpha-7 subtypes).
Pharmacokinetics
Amobarbital is metabolized via hydroxylation to form 3'-hydroxyamobarbital5 and via N-glucosidation to form 1-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-amobarbital.6
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Barbiturates, Other GABAergic depressants
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
HighHigh abuse potential with significant risk of psychological dependence.7 Amobarbital was widely misused recreationally, known on the street as 'Blue Heavens,' 'blue angels,' and 'blue devils,'8 and is classified as habit-forming.7
Physical
Extremely HighPhysical dependence develops with extended use.7 Withdrawal mimics delirium tremens and may be life-threatening, requiring medical supervision for discontinuation.7
History & Culture
Discovery and Commercial Development
Amobarbital was first synthesized in Germany in 1923, emerging as a short to intermediate acting barbiturate derivative.9 The compound gained commercial prominence through Eli Lilly and Company, which manufactured it in the United States under the brand name Amytal.…
Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Francisco López-Muñoz, Ronaldo Ucha-Udabe, & Cecilio Alamo. (2005). The history of barbiturates a century after their clinical introduction. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 1(4). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2424120/12
- Jeanie Skibiski, Preeti Patel, & Sara Abdijadid. (2024). Barbiturates. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539731/123
- Conor Brown. (2025). Sodium Amytal – No Longer Prescribed, but Still Relevant (And Dangerous!). BJPsych Open. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12260749/1
- (October 2004). Selective GABA-receptor actions of amobarbital on thalamic neurons. British Journal of Pharmacology, 143(4), 485–94. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bjp.070597412
- W Kalow, B K Tang, D Kadar, & T Inaba. (1978). Distinctive patterns of amobarbital metabolites. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 24(5), 576-82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/699482/1
- (July 1978). Amobarbital metabolism in man: N-glucoside formation. Research Communications in Chemical Pathology and Pharmacology, 21(1), 45–53. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/684279/1
- (n.d.). AMYTAL SODIUM (amobarbital sodium) for injection, USP — DailyMed Label (setid: a2523317-e071-4e04-9d9f-9053286e0ce2). https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/fda/fdaDrugXsl.cfm?setid=a2523317-e071-4e04-9d9f-9053286e0ce2&type=display12345
- (n.d.). What Is Amobarbital & What Are its Effects? — Laguna Treatment Center. https://lagunatreatment.com/drug-abuse/barbiturates/amobarbital/1
- (n.d.). One hundred years of barbiturates and their saint. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1079678/1
- Ariel Gershon, & Edward Shorter. (2019). How amytal changed psychopharmacy: off-label uses of sodium amytal (1920–40). History of Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1177/0957154x198476051
- (n.d.). The Chemistry of Truthfulness. On Wisconsin Magazine. https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/the-chemistry-of-truthfulness/1
- (n.d.). Combat Fatigue: How Stress in Battle was Felt (and Treated) in WWII. Warfare History Network. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/combat-fatigue-how-stress-in-battle-was-felt-and-treated-in-wwii/1
- (n.d.). Death in Hollywood: Walker, Robert – Strangers on a Train. Emanuel Levy. https://emanuellevy.com/profile/death-in-hollywood-walker-robert-age-38-strangers-on-a-train/1
- (n.d.). Tony Hancock, the sad lonely death of a comic giant. Memorable TV. https://www.memorabletv.com/features/tony-hancock-the-sad-lonely-death-of-a-comic-giant/1
- (n.d.). TUINAL PULVULE 304 — Health Canada Drug Product Database (DIN 00128872). Health Canada. https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=81
- (n.d.). Controlled Drugs and Substances Act — Schedule IV (Barbiturates) — Justice Laws Website. Government of Canada, Department of Justice. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-38.8/page-12.html1
- (n.d.). Controlled Substance Schedules — DEA Diversion Control Division. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Diversion Control Division. https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/schedules/schedules.html1
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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