Benzodiazepines time of action

Thiopental acts within seconds and has a duration of action of about 30 minutes, is used in the IV induction of anesthesia. By contrast, phenobarbital, which has a duration of action greater than a day, is useful in the treatment of seizures. Pentobarbital, secobarbital, and amobarbital are short-acting barbiturates, which are effective as sedative and hypnotic (but not anti-anxiety) agents.