Talbutal, also called 5-allyl-5-sec-butylbarbituric acid, is a barbiturate with a short to intermediate duration of action. It is a nonselective central nervous system (CNS) depressant. As with other barbiturates, talbutal is capable of producing all levels of CNS mood alteration from excitation to mild sedation, hypnosis, and deep coma. Barbiturates may also induce anesthesia at sufficiently high therapeutic doses. Talbutal binds to GABAA receptors at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionopore of the receptor. Upon binding, talbutal increases the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open, leading to prolonged inhibitory effect of GABA at the postsynaptic thalamic neuron. Talbutal is a potentiator of the GABA(A) alpha-1 through alpha-6 subunits. Some side effects of using Talbutal may include drowsiness, loss or coordination, nausea, and insomnia.

Talbutal Pathway References