October 4, 2026
When Nembutal Fails – Free Zoom Webinar with Philip Nitschke
On Saturday 10 October @ 22.00 (CEST), Philip Nitschke will host a free, open Zoom Webinar on the topic of ‘When Nembutal Fails’.
Dr Nitschke will highlight his personal experience with administering IV pentobarbital under Australia’s Rights of the Terminally Ill Act, including his own experience with hard-to-find veins
Dr Nitschke will take audience questions to explore when Nembutal fails.
The topic of ‘when Nembutal fails’ is front of mind since the recent ‘unsuccessful’ execution in the US State of Tennessee of inmate, Christa Pike, on 30 September.
The webinar will examine:
- Where is pentobarbital used in assisted dying?
- What is the difference between the use of the drug in Switzerland and on death row in the US?
- What is the providence of drugs used on death row?
- What is a lethal dose? (It is said Pike survived 2 doses)
- IV vs oral administration
- Drug testing – how and why it is done
- Where do death row drugs come from?
- Before her failed execution, Pike said pentobarbital is akin to ‘Drano’ (drain cleaner)
- Do blistering and burning occur during the IV administration of Nembutal in Switzerland (and other countries)?
- Pike’s body was said to form a V shape suggesting a seizure/ convulsion – how could this occur if she were strapped to the guerney?
- Is it normal for your arm to feel that is is about to burst when you have IV Nembutal?
- Does it matter if the Nembutal goes direct to one’s blood stream?
- Does the oral administration of Nembutal (like at Dignias) feed the drug directly to one’s blood stream?
- Some experts say that Nembutal is like bleach, and causes chemical burns. Is this true?
- Does the IV administration of Nembutal cause ‘pulmonary edema’ or the feeling of ‘drowning’ even though the recipients look peaceful?
- Does a ‘botched execution’ cause brain damage?
These are some of the many topics that Philip Nitschke will cover in this important public, open, online meeting.
Time Zones
