U.S. PHARMACOPEIA

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Pentobarbital Sodium Injection
» Pentobarbital Sodium Injection is a sterile solution of Pentobarbital Sodium in a suitable solvent. Pentobarbital may be substituted for the equivalent amount of Pentobarbital Sodium, for adjustment of the pH. The Injection contains the equivalent of not less than 92.0 percent and not more than 108.0 percent of the labeled amount of C11H17N2NaO3.
Packaging and storage— Preserve in single-dose or multiple-dose containers, preferably of Type I glass. The Injection may be packaged in 50-mL containers.
Labeling— The label indicates that the Injection is not to be used if it contains a precipitate.
Identification— The residue obtained in the Assay responds to Identification test A under Pentobarbital Sodium.
Bacterial endotoxins 85 It contains not more than 0.8 USP Endotoxin Unit per mg of pentobarbital sodium.
pH 791: between 9.0 and 10.5.
Residual solvents 467: meets the requirements.
(Official January 1, 2007)
Other requirements— It meets the requirements under Injections 1.
Assay— Pipet a volume of Injection, equivalent to about 500 mg of pentobarbital sodium, into a separator, and dilute with water to about 15 mL. To the solution add 2 mL of hydrochloric acid, shake, and completely extract the liberated pentobarbital with 25-mL portions of chloroform. Test for completeness of extraction by extracting with an additional 10-mL portion of chloroform and evaporating the solvent: not more than 0.5 mg of residue remains. Filter each extract through a pledget of chloroform-washed cotton, or other suitable filter, into a tared beaker, and finally wash the separator and the filter with several small portions of chloroform. Evaporate the combined filtrate and washings on a steam bath with the aid of a current of air, add 10 mL of ether, again evaporate, dry the residue at 105 for 2 hours, cool, and weigh. The weight of the residue, multiplied by 1.097, represents the weight of pentobarbital sodium (C11H17N2NaO3).
Auxiliary Information— Staff Liaison : Ravi Ravichandran, Ph.D., Senior Scientist
Expert Committee : (MDPP05) Monograph Development-Psychiatrics and Psychoactives
USP29–NF24 Page 1680
Phone Number : 1-301-816-8330