ABSTRACT
TABLE 47-1. Classification of barbiturates by duration of action
Ultrashort-acting Thiopental Methohexital Buthabital Hexobarbital Thiamylal
Short-and intermediate-acting Amobarbital Aprobarbital Butabarbital Butalbital Pentobarbital Secobarbital Talbutal
Long-acting Phenobarbital Mephobarbital Metharbital
elimination is primarily by metabolic degradation or excre tion, and the rate of removal of the active drug from the central nervous system. On the basis of these differences in the duration of action, barbiturates are classified into three categories: ultrashort-acting, short-and intermediate-act ing, and long-acting (Table 47-1) (1). The anticonvulsant primidone (Mysoline) is metabolized to phenobarbital and thus should be considered a barbiturate (4).