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Skeletal formula
Ball-and-stick model
Systematic (IUPAC) name
5-hex-3-yn-2-yl-1- methyl-5-prop-2-enyl-1, 3-diazinane-2,4,6-trione
Clinical data
AHFS/ Consumer Drug Information
Pregnancy cat.
Legal status
Routes Intravenous, rectal
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability I.V. ~100%
Rectal ~17%
Metabolism Hepatic
Half-life 5.6 ± 2.7 minutes
Excretion ?
CAS number 151-83-7 YesY
ATC code N01AF01 N05CA15
PubChem CID 9034
DrugBank DB00474
ChemSpider 8683 YesY
KEGG D04985 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:102216 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C14H18N2O3 
Mol. mass 262.304
 YesY (what is this?)  (verify)

Methohexital or methohexitone, (marketed under the brand name Brevital) is a drug which is a barbiturate derivative. It is classified as short-acting, and has a rapid onset of action. It is similar in its effects to sodium thiopental, a drug with which it competed in the market for anaesthetics.


Methohexital binds to a distinct site which is associated with Cl ionophores at GABAA receptors.[1] This increases the length of time which the Cl ionopores are open, thus causing an inhibitory effect.

Metabolism of methohexital is primarily hepatic (i.e., taking place in the liver) via demethylation and oxidation.[citation needed] Side-chain oxidation is the primary means of metabolism involved in the termination of the drug's biological activity.

Protein binding is approximately 73% for methohexital.[citation needed]


Methohexital is primarily used to induce anesthesia, and is generally provided as a sodium salt (i.e. methohexital sodium). It is only used in hospital or similar settings, under strict supervision.[citation needed] It has been commonly used to induce deep sedation or general anesthesia for surgery and dental procedures. Unlike many other barbiturates, Methohexital actually lowers the seizure threshold, a property that make it particularly useful when anesthesia is provided for a electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). And rapid recovery rate with consciousness being gained within three to seven minutes after induction and full recovery within 30 minuntes is a major advantage over other ECT barbiturates (Schulgasser and Borowitz 1963).


Methohexital, 5-allyl-1-methyl-5-(1-methyl-2-pentinyl barbituric acid, is synthesized in the classic manner of making barbituric acid derivatives, in particular by the reaction of malonic ester derivatives with derivatives of urea.

Methohexital synthesis: W.J. Doran, U.S. Patent 2,872,448 (1959).

The resulting allyl-(1-methyl-2-pentynyl) malonic ester is synthesized by subsequent alkylation of the malonic ester itself, beginning with 2-bromo-3-hexyne, which gives (1-methyl-2-pentynyl)malonic ester, and then by allylbromide. In the final step, reaction of the disubstituted malonic ester with N-methylurea gives desired methohexital.


  1. ^ Katzung, Bertram G., Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 10th ed., p. 406-407


External links[edit]

  1. ^ SCHULGASSER, H; BOROWITZ, A (1963). "Methohexital anaesthesia in electroconvulsive therapy". South African Medical Journal 37: 870.