A list of the 3 drugs commonly used by state executioners

The Supreme Court has upheld a three-drug regimen in executions, the most common method used by state and federal executioners in the United States. These are the three drugs used:

_Sodium thiopental, an anesthetic that is supposed to leave the inmate unconscious and unable to feel pain.

_Pancuronium bromide, a paralytic that is intended to prevent involuntary muscle movements.

_Potassium chloride, used to stop the heart.

Critics of the three-drug combination say that if the executioner administers too little anesthetic or makes mistakes in injecting it, the inmate could suffer excruciating pain from the other two drugs. But those involved in the execution might be unaware of the pain because the paralyzing drug would prevent any expression of that pain.