Amobarbital is a barbiturate derivative with sedative-hypnotic properties, first synthesized in Germany in 1923. Classified as a short to intermediate acting barbiturate, it has been used clinically for sedation, short-term insomnia management, and acute seizure control. Once widely misused, its popularity declined as benzodiazepines offered safer alternatives in overdose. Amobarbital carries a high risk of dependence with continued use, and dose-related central nervous system depression remains a primary safety concern.
Amobarbitale molecular structure diagram from the DrugsPRO substance library.
Also known as: Blues, Amytal, Blue birds, Blue velvet, Blue devils, Sodium amobarbital
Classification
Chemical: Barbiturate
Psychoactive: Depressant
Tag: Anticonvulsant
Tag: Anxiolytic
Tag: GABAergic
Tag: Habit-Forming
Tag: Sedative
Effects
Decreased Heart Rate
Sedation
Muscle Relaxation
Respiratory Depression
Decreased Body Temperature
Anxiolytic
Anxiety Suppression
Amnesia
Thought Deceleration
Confusion
Motor Control Loss
Euphoria
Disinhibition
Dulled Perception
Open Eye Visuals
Double Vision
Blurred Vision
Visual Acuity Suppression
Routes of Administration
Oral
Dosage
Heavy: 250 mg +
Light: 50 – 75 mg
Common: 75 – 150 mg
Strong: 150 – 200 mg
Threshold: 50 mg
Duration
Onset: 0.17-0.5 h
After Effects: 2-12 h
Peak: 1-4 h
Offset: 5-9 h
Total Duration: 5-9 h
Intravenous
Dosage
Heavy: 450 mg +
Light: 100 – 150 mg
Common: 150 – 300 mg
Strong: 300 – 450 mg
Threshold: 50 mg
Duration
Onset: 0.008-0.033 h
Peak: 0.05-0.5 h
Offset: 3-8 h
After Effects: 2-12 h
Total Duration: 3-8 h
Intramuscular
Dosage
Heavy: 400 mg +
Light: 75 – 125 mg
Common: 125 – 250 mg
Strong: 250 – 400 mg
Threshold: 40 mg
Duration
No data available for this section yet.
Harm Reduction
Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.
Sources
Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.
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Amobarbital: Amobarbital is a barbiturate derivative with sedative-hypnotic properties, first synthesized in Germany in 1923. Classified as a short to intermediate acting barbiturate, it has been used clinically for sedation, short-term insomnia management, and acute seizure control. Once widely mis
