Amobarbital is a barbiturate derivative used for the induction of sedation during procedures, short-term management of insomnia, and acute management of refractory tonic-clonic seizures. A barbiturate with hypnotic and sedative properties (but not antianxiety).
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Amobarbital (like all barbiturates) works by binding to the GABAA receptor at either the alpha or the beta sub unit. These are binding sites that are distinct from GABA itself and also distinct from the benzodiazepine binding site. Like benzodiazepines, barbiturates potentiate the effect of GABA at this receptor. This GABAA receptor binding decreases input resistance, depresses burst and tonic firing, especially in ventrobasal and intralaminar neurons, while at the same time increasing burst duration and mean conductance at individual chloride channels; this increases both the amplitude and decay time of inhibitory postsynaptic currents. In addition to this GABA-ergic effect, barbiturates also block the AMPA receptor, a subtype of glutamate receptor. Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS. Amobarbital also appears to bind neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
- Formula / weight
- C11H18N2O3 · 226.2722 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1939
- Also known as
- Amylobarbitone · Barbamil · Barbamyl
Resolves to
VIROVYVQCGLCII-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESCCC1(CCC(C)C)C(=O)NC(=O)NC1=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Amobarbital, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
Create a free account or log in to explore the full data card.
Create Account