The three drugs involved in the 3-drug protocol are morphine sul- phate, chloral hydrate and the (slow, but available) barbiturate, phenobarbital. The drugs and the quantities required are shown in the diagram on the previous page.
Morphine sulphate - is the most difficult drug to source, given the restrictions on this addictive opiate. The sample pictured contains 50 x 60mg tablets, or the 3gm of morphine sulphate required.
Chloral hydrate - is a sedative that can be used as a lethal, solo drug. The bottle pictured has a concentration of 1gm/ 10ml. A 200ml bottle would contain the required 20gms.
Phenobarbital - is a slow-acting barbiturate that is still prescribed as an anti-convulsant. It can also be used as a solo end of life agent (see ‘Taking Nembutal’ Chapter). The illustration shows 200 x 30mg tablets, making a total of 6gm of the 20gm required.
Note, there is no so-called ‘cardiac switch’ in the 3-drug protocol. Death is from hypoxic hypoxia associated with the sedative ef- fects of the drugs involved.
Using the 3-Drug Mixture
With a mortar and pestle, the phenobarb is crushed and then mixed with the crushed morphine sulphate tablets. Once the 200ml of chloral hydrate is added, the mixture is stirred well before being drunk quickly.
An anti-emetic is required. The suggested protocol is 2 x 10mg metoclopramide tablets, along with 8mg of ondansetron to in- crease relaxation and enhance the effect of the metoclopramide.
