Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Brevital Sodium (METHOHEXITAL)

Brevital Sodium (METHOHEXITAL) is a barbiturate medication originally developed by PAR STERILE PRODUCTS and currently owned by Ph Health. It works by targeting the GABA-A receptor alpha-1/beta-3/gamma-2, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA, leading to sedation and anesthesia. Brevital Sodium is FDA-approved for general and local anesthesia, and is available as a generic medication. It has a half-life of 1.6 hours and is off-patent, with no active Orange Book patents. As a barbiturate, Brevital Sodium carries key safety considerations, including potential for dependence and overdose.

At a glance

Approved indications

• General anesthesia
• Local anesthesia

Boxed warnings

• WARNING Methohexital Sodium for Injection should be used only in hospital or ambulatory care settings that provide for continuous monitoring of respiratory (e.g. pulse oximetry) and cardiac function. Immediate availability of resuscitative drugs and age- and size-appropriate equipment for bag/valve/mask ventilation and intubation and personnel trained in their use and skilled in airway management should be assured. For deeply sedated patients, a designated individual other than the practitioner performing the procedure should be present to continuously monitor the patient. (See WARNINGS.)

Common side effects

• Cardiovascular collapse
• Cardiorespiratory arrest
• Respiratory depression
• Seizures
• Anaphylaxis
• Peripheral vascular collapse
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension
• Thrombophlebitis
• Circulatory depression
• Laryngospasm
• Bronchospasm

Key clinical trials

• Comparison of Esketamine/Propofol and Methohexital Anesthesia for ECT (PHASE4)
• Methohexital v Propofol as General Anesthetic in Patients on ACEIs or ARBs (NA)
• EEG Characteristics in ECT (EARLY_PHASE1)
• Comparison of Bolus Dosing of Methohexital and Propofol in Elective Direct Current Cardioversion (PHASE4)
• Ketamine as an Augmentation Strategy for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Depression (PHASE4)
• Enhancing the Effectiveness of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Severe Depression (PHASE4)
• Ketamine Anesthesia for Improvement of Depression in ECT (NA)
• Use of Ketamine vs Methohexital for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) on Patient Recovery and Re-orientation Time (NA)

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.