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Cyclopal: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Cyclopal - General Information

A barbiturate that is effective as a hypnotic and sedative. [PubChem]

 

Pharmacology of Cyclopal

Cyclopal is a barbiturate derivative having hypnotic and sedative effects. It was used in the 1940s-1950s as an agent for inducing anesthesia for surgery and has a relatively fast onset of effects and short duration of action. However it can be difficult to control the depth of anesthesia with hexobarbital which makes it quite dangerous, and it has now been replaced by safer drugs in human medicine, usually thiopental would be the barbiturate of choice for this application these days.

 

Cyclopal for patients

 

Cyclopal Interactions

Barbiturates may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, certain antibiotics, quinidine, theophylline, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and beta blockers.

 

Cyclopal Contraindications

 

Additional information about Cyclopal

Cyclopal Indication: For the induction of anesthesia prior to the use of other general anesthetic agents and for induction of anesthesia for short surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures associated with minimal painful stimuli. Mechanism Of Action: Cyclopal binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABA-A receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged. Drug Interactions: Not Available Food Interactions: Not Available Generic Name: Hexobarbital Synonyms: Hexobarbitone; 5-(1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-1,5-dimethylbarbituric acid; Methexenyl; Methylhexabital Drug Category: Hypnotics and Sedatives; Adjuvants; Barbiturates Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved Other Brand Names containing Hexobarbital: Citopan; Evipan; Noctivane; Sombucaps; Sombulex; Somnalert; Evipal; Cyclopan; Cyclopal; Barbidorm; Absorption: Not Available Toxicity (Overdose): Not Available Protein Binding: 25% Biotransformation: Hepatic. Half Life: Not Available Dosage Forms of Cyclopal: Tablet Oral Chemical IUPAC Name: 5-(1-cyclohexenyl)-1,5-dimethyl-1,3-diazinane-2,4,6-trione Chemical Formula: C12H16N2O3 Hexobarbital on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hexobarbital Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals