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![]() ![]() This proposed product would need to be tested and results compared, as all new drugs are. ![]() It’s difficult at this early stage to predict how this concoction would work and whether it would be easier or safer to use than drugs already tried and tested. The constituents and doses are yet to be determined. It may also use sedatives and muscle relaxants, a drug to slow down the heart, and an anti-epileptic to prevent seizure and induce relaxation of muscles. Some have suggested the mixture will be in powder form made with pain killers to induce a coma and eventually cause respiratory arrest. Therefore, no final description of this product has been released. The Victorian government has reportedly approached Monash University’s pharmacy department to research the kind of pill that could be developed if the legislation passes. The proposed legislation does not seek to legalise the use of Nembutal and its relatives - but suggests a “drug cocktail” be concocted by a compounding pharmacist. This makes implementation of the newly proposed euthanasia law in Victoria slightly more difficult. In Australia, Nembutal and secobarbital can be used for animals, but are illegal for human use. Nembutal and its relatives are less likely to do so, with greater evidence from international practices than any other drugs that can end life. While all of these drugs are legally available in Australia, they could cause a long, protracted death, with many more side effects that could cause distress and suffering at the end of life. Some drugs that cause excessive muscle relaxation and respiratory distress can end life, as can some pain killers commonly used in palliative care.ĭrugs can also be used that fatally lower blood sugar levels, cause heart attack, or block messages from the brain to the muscles, causing paralysis. Other options exist, whether in combination or alone, but have limited evidence of use in euthanasia. They are the preferred drugs in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland and some USA states where euthanasia is legal. Their safety and efficacy in inducing a peaceful, swift and uneventful death has been proven around the world. These two products are tried and tested, have the advantage of years of use with the benefit of knowing the exact dose range needed, and with few adverse effects reported (such as unexpected pain, drawn-out death or failed death). They are also used in injectable forms for animal euthanasia. A large dose will effectively make the brain slow down to a point where it stops telling the body to keep the respiratory system working, and breathing ceases.īoth secobarbital capsules and pentobarbital (usually known as the brand name, Nembutal) liquid - (not to be mistaken for epilepsy medication phenobarbital) have been used either alone or in combination for physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia. In different doses and administration techniques, these preparations can also be used as anaesthesia, to make us sleep through surgery.Īn overdose of barbiturates is fatal. These drugs, used medicinally in small doses, can be taken short-term to treat insomnia, or seizures in emergencies. They cause the activity of the brain and nervous system to slow down. The group of drugs most commonly used to end life is called the barbiturates. Ruling on assisted dying drug Nembutal sets important precedent ![]() But taken in excessive quantities, it can cause irreparable liver damage, and if the patient is not given an antidote in a hospital, could lead to death. When taken following correct guidelines, it is a perfectly safe, effective pain killer used by millions of people worldwide. Take, for example, the humble paracetamol. In more practical terms, this means too much of any medicine can cause harm. We need to trial different doses of new drugs to meticulously establish a safe but effective threshold for use. ![]() from This is a very intricate science, and the reason we conduct clinical research. Medicine is poison - depending on the dose. ![]()
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