Pentobarbital (CAS 76-74-4): storage and disposal

Because of its toxicity and potential for misuse, veterinary pentobarbital stock should be stored securely with access restricted under the practice's medicines procedures, and accurate stock records maintained. A vial should never travel loose in a call-out bag and then return uncounted, as that is how totals go wrong. Euthanasia solution is usually made strong, and a bottle can look similar to other injectables on a crowded shelf, so keep it clearly separated from them and labelled. Acids and oxidisers belong elsewhere. The sodium salt held by a pharmacy needs a tightly closed container in a dry place, because it takes up moisture from the air. Keep any part-used bottle upright, in its carton.

A vial with a heavily punctured rubber bung and a low level is often what people see first, frequently with a broached date missing from the label. Some euthanasia solutions are dyed to mark them out, so a strong colour may be perfectly normal for that product. Compare it with the carton or product information before drawing any conclusion. Haze, sediment, crystals around the bung or a colour that differs from an identical bottle all suggest change. Sticky residue on the shoulder of a vial suggests leakage. The sodium salt is a powder that should flow freely, and damp makes it cake or clump. A volume that does not match the running record is a reportable discrepancy, whatever the bottle looks like.

This does not go through our standard collection route. It is arranged by manual enquiry, and never goes down the drain or into general waste.

Write down the product name, strength, volume left, broached date and whether the bung has leaked before asking for a collection. Volume is rarely exact in a part-used bottle, so give it as your record shows. This stock is handled by manual enquiry, without an online quote, and a general chemical collection does not cover it. Destruction follows the applicable controlled drugs and veterinary medicines requirements. Routine Schedule 3 stock destruction does not normally require an authorised witness, although particular preparations or circumstances may carry additional requirements. The person responsible for controlled drugs at the practice or pharmacy must confirm the arrangements. Veterinary holders use 18 02 08, while pharmacies in human healthcare use 18 01 09. Never empty anything into a sink or animal waste container, and keep bottles in the cabinet meanwhile.

Usually held as: sodium salt, euthanasia solution.

Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.