Methohexital or methohexitone (marketed under the brand names Brevital and Brietal) is a drug which is a barbiturate derivative.

[1] Side-chain oxidation is the primary means of metabolism involved in the termination of the drug's biological activity.

[1] It has been commonly used to induce deep sedation or general anesthesia for surgery and dental procedures.

Unlike many other barbiturates, methohexital actually lowers the seizure threshold, a property that makes it particularly useful when anesthesia is provided for an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

In the final step, reaction of the disubstituted malonic ester with N-methylurea gives methohexital.