Pancuronium (Molecule of the Month for July 2007)
Pavulon, Lethal injection, Euthanasia
Pancuronium is used with general anaesthesia in surgery for muscle relaxation and as an aid to intubation or ventilation. It does not have sedative or analgesic effects.
In Belgium and the Netherlands, Pancuronium is recommended in the protocol for euthanasia. After administering sodium thiopental to induce coma, Pancuronium is delivered in order to stop breathing. Pancuronium is also used with sodium thiopental as a lethal injection used in capital punishment in some parts of the USA.
Pavulon was the compound usedby the mass murderer "Angel of Death" Efren Saldivar's killing spree
Formal Chemical Name (IUPAC)
1,1'-((2S,3S,10S,13S,16R,17R)-3,17-diacetoxy-10,13-dimethylhexadecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-2,16-diyl)bis(1-methylpiperidinium) bromide
References
click on the picture of Pancuronium above to interact
with the 3D model of the
Pancuronium structure
(this will open a new browser window)
C35 H6 0Br2 N2 O4
Update by Karl Harrison
(Molecule of the Month for
July 2007
)
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