Stable nonaqueous pentobarbital sodium solutions for use in laboratory animals.

The degradation kinetics of pentobarbital sodium in propylene glycol-based solutions were studied along with the in vivo effects in laboratory animals. The degradation rate constant was directly proportional to the water concentration in propylene glycol-water solvent systems. An activation energy of 23.4 kcal/mole was obtained in propylene glycol-water (1:1). Pentobarbital sodium solutions in anhydrous propylene glycol and 9:1 mixtures of propylene glycol with ethanol, glycerin, or dimethylacetamide gave relatively slow degradation rates at 100 degrees with all projected 25 degrees t 99% values greater than 4.5 years. Intravenous administration of pentobarbital sodium in various anhydrous propylene glycol-based vehicles to rats produced no hemolysis of gross organ damage that would interfere with pathological evaluations. Results of an intraperitoneal sleeptime study indicated that pentobarbital sodium produced consistent hypnotic effect when administered as an aqueous solution or in anhydrous propylene glycol-based vehicles.