# Drugs used for executions **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449 "2006-04-12T23:14:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2006, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/1 "2006-04-12T23:14:01Z")
It seems that in the US, a lethal injection execution uses a barbiturate to induce coma, then a muscle relaxant, then a massive dose of KCl to stop the heart. There are some concerns that if the barbiturate step goes wrong, the inmate may suffer a lot of pain, not publicly visible, due to the muscle relaxant. Instead of this cocktail, why isn’t a huge dose of an analgesic used, like morphine? ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2006, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/2 "2006-04-13T13:33:18Z")
Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2006, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/3 "2006-04-13T13:46:17Z")
There have been a few threads about execution methods. As much of it is for the benefit of the executioner(s) and those witnessing it as for the prisoner. Perhaps something that makes it look peaceful would be better for the former. I’d prefer to have someone put my brains out with a bullet as they do in China quick and easy, but then you run the risk of perhaps having nice corneas they can transplant :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2006, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/4 "2006-04-13T13:54:46Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > It seems that in the US, a lethal injection execution uses a barbiturate to induce coma, then a muscle relaxant, then a massive dose of KCl to stop the heart. There are some concerns that if the barbiturate step goes wrong, the inmate may suffer a lot of pain, not publicly visible, due to the muscle relaxant. > > Instead of this cocktail, why isn’t a huge dose of an analgesic used, like morphine? Some places leave out the KCl, but I don’t know if it’s for humanitarian or efficiency purposes. The first two drugs alone are both administered in fatal doses. ---
**Author:** ![beergeek279](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@beergeek279](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beergeek279)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2006, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/5 "2006-04-13T16:47:02Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > Instead of this cocktail, why isn’t a huge dose of an analgesic used, like morphine? Because you’d need a doctor to get a Schedule II drug like morphine, and no doctor would do such a thing under their ethical guidelines, which is why you couldn’t have an execution done under anaesthesia as that would require a medical professional actively participating. ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2006, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/6 "2006-04-13T17:04:18Z")
> [@beergeek279](#): > > Because you’d need a doctor to get a Schedule II drug like morphine Surely, the DEA can provide a license to the relevant prison auhorities for these exclusive government events. ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/7 "2006-04-14T01:39:08Z")
Any other possible reason? ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/8 "2006-04-14T04:12:04Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > Any other possible reason? No cite but in one of the articles regarding this issue it was said that these types of drugs take too long to work or result in a gruesome death. ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/9 "2006-04-14T17:51:48Z")
> [@treis](#): > > No cite but in one of the articles regarding this issue it was said that these types of drugs take too long to work or result in a gruesome death. I’m not sure about the ‘too long’ argument but I’ve read about doctors officially increasing morphine drip for ‘pain relief’ but actually for euthanasia. I doubt that if those were painful deaths, but someone can clarify. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/10 "2006-04-14T19:21:01Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > I’m not sure about the ‘too long’ argument but I’ve read about doctors officially increasing morphine drip for ‘pain relief’ but actually for euthanasia. I doubt that if those were painful deaths, but someone can clarify. In the interest of accuracy, he said gruesome, not painful. I know firsthand that morphine ODs often include convulsions and comatose vomiting. Either of which would be horrible to watch on a restrained human being, even a criminal. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2006, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drugs-used-for-executions/352449/11 "2006-04-14T20:20:26Z")
> [@II Gyan II](#): > > I’m not sure about the ‘too long’ argument but I’ve read about doctors officially increasing morphine drip for ‘pain relief’ but actually for euthanasia. I doubt that if those were painful deaths, but someone can clarify. **OneCentStamp** pretty much nailed it, its too gruesome for the witnesses not the criminal.