Sodium azide - Update 2025
According to eyewitness reports, the method is painless and highly effective when the instructions are carefully followed.
Recent insights suggest that a higher dose, such as 3 grams, may be more effective in reducing side effects.
Death following sodium azide ingestion typically occurs within 45 minutes to 3 hours. Based on 30 testimonies from relatives reported to the CLW, the average time to death is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
This is the new MEDICATION & LIFESTYLE ADVICE recommended in the Netherlands for the intended use of SODIUM AZIDE
1. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medication
Available without prescription (at drugstores):
• Anti-nausea/vomiting medication
• Headache relief medication
• Sedatives (stress-reducing)
Prescription-only:
• Medication for involuntary movements and/or muscle twitching.
2. Pre-medication schedule (starting 12 hours before intake)
A pre-medication schedule is applied 12 hours before sodium azide intake.
This protocol is inspired by existing euthanasia and assisted suicide procedures using barbiturates such as pentobarbital.
3. Possible side effects of sodium azide
Side effects before loss of consciousness:
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
Side effects after loss of consciousness:
• Twitching in the face, torso, or limbs
These are usually not noticeable to the person themselves but may be observed by bystanders. Involuntary movements and/or muscle twitching can occur after unconsciousness. This information can be shared in advance with loved ones.
4. Testing medication beforehand
Testing medication in advance can provide insight into its effects and side effects. Some guidelines apply:
• Testing anti-nausea or headache medication may produce minimal noticeable effects if symptoms are absent.
• Testing sedatives may cause drowsiness. The test can assess how much they affect alertness.
• Testing medication for twitching/involuntary movements: Midazolam (Dormicum®) or Diazepam (Valium®) often works quickly. Taking it in a safe environment (e.g., sitting on a bed) is recommended.
Test dose: Midazolam 15 mg / Diazepam 10 mg.
On the day of intake, typically 60 mg of Midazolam or Diazepam is used, taken within one hour before sodium azide.
(Midazolam typically takes effect within minutes; sodium azide is taken immediately afterward).
5. Anti-nausea/vomiting medication
Prescription-only
In the 12 hours before sodium azide intake, three doses are typically taken:
• Either Primperan® (metoclopramide) / Motilium® (domperidone) : 1 tablet (10 mg) per dose
OTC alternative
• Or Suprimal®: 2 tablets (12.5 mg) per dose
6. Combination headache relief medication
(All listed below are available OTC.)
One hour before sodium azide intake, the following combinations can be used:
• Either 1000 mg paracetamol (2x 500 mg) plus 600 mg ibuprofen (3x 200 mg)
• Or 500 mg naproxen (2x 250 mg)
7. Sedatives/stress-reducing medication
These are usually taken in three doses over the 12 hours before sodium azide intake.
Testing can assess effects on clarity and alertness.
Prescription-only:
• Seresta® (Oxazepam) 10 mg
OTC alternative:
• Valdispert (Valerian) 450 mg
8. Medication for involuntary movements/muscle twitching
Sodium azide may cause involuntary movements or twitching after unconsciousness, which bystanders may find distressing. High doses of certain prescription medications can reduce or prevent these effects.
Preferred medication:
• Dormicum® (Midazolam) – dose: 60 mg (15 mg per tablet)
Alternative:
• Valium® (Diazepam) – dose: 60 mg (2, 5, or 10 mg tablets)
(These are normally prescribed in lower doses for sleep disorders, epilepsy, or anxiety. Here, higher doses are used to prevent twitching/involuntary movements.)
9. Sodium azide intake: dosage and preparation
Ingestion of 2 grams of sodium azide is lethal; there is no antidote. Recent insights suggest that a higher dose, such as 3 grams, may be more effective in reducing side effects.
In powder form, sodium azide (stir with a plastic spoon) is dissolved in 50 ml of water. Do not use metal (stir with glass, plastic or wood).
Lifestyle schedule
• Evening before intake: Light, low-fat meal.
• After midnight: Fasting (except small sips of water with pre-medication).
• Morning of intake: Light meal (e.g., toast with jam or low-fat yogurt, avoiding fatty foods).
Sodium azide should be pre-dissolved and ready before taking Midazolam/Diazepam.
• With Diazepam, an alarm can be set for the planned sodium azide intake.
• Midazolam typically takes effect within minutes; sodium azide is taken immediately afterward.
10. Enhancing sodium azide absorption
A high stomach pH improves absorption. One hour beforehand, take 1 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) dissolved in water or tea. (This is available OTC.)
11. Death following sodium azide ingestion typically occurs within 45 minutes to 3 hours. Based on 30 testimonies from relatives reported to the CLW, the average time to death is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.
12. Reflection on the Dying Process (Eyewitness Account)
Els Huizinga decided to end her life using sodium azide.
Hans Peltenburg, a nurse (and buddy)*, as well as Els van Poppel, were with Els Huizinga when she passed away.
*Buddy (someone who offers presence and support to a person in the final stage of life. All buddy's are experienced and well-trained in natural dying care. They come from diverse professional backgrounds, such as psychology, nursing, and social work).
Reflection on the Dying Process
"At 10:45, we said our goodbyes," Els recalls. "She nodded at the camera and said, 'Look, I'm doing this entirely on my own.' Everything was focused on showing that she did this herself. No help, completely independently. She spoke into the camera again, emphasizing once more that she had performed all the actions herself. She mixed sodium azide in 50 ml of water. Smiling at the camera, she said, 'My sister would say: Skol.' She drank the substance and lay down calmly." Els, swallowing her emotions: "She took my hand. Looked at me and said, 'I'm going to sleep nicely. I wish you all the best. I'm not going to cry. Goodbye, darlings. Goodbye, my dearest darlings.' I'll never forget that look."
"At 11:15, she was unconscious," Hans continues. "Her cat Goofy jumped onto the bed briefly to sniff around but then disappeared into the hallway closet. After that, it unfolded as it often does in a natural death—like I've seen as a nurse, including with my own mother and a close friend. There were occasional involuntary movements. She tried to sit up three times. For about ten minutes, she moaned during the two hours after losing consciousness. In the final hour, she breathed in the characteristic, irregular rhythm of so-called Cheyne-Stokes breathing. And then, at 13:14, her breathing stopped. She had passed away."
After a brief silence, Els continues: "We also talked together about what we saw happening during the dying process. That was important to us, also for our own processing. It helped to look back together. The involuntary movements she made, the brief moaning, the attempts to sit up—they were all part of the natural process of dying. No signs of suffering, but physical reflexes that can look impressive if you don't know what to expect."
Hans adds: "Those kinds of phenomena can seem frightening, but if you know what they mean, they bring peace. The body is letting go, slowly shutting down. The Cheyne-Stokes breathing fits into that. We saw it all happen and recognized it."
Els: "And because of that, we could stay with her, calm, without panic. That felt like the greatest gift we could give her: being present, bearing witness, simply staying."
Source:
KNMG/KNMP guideline on the implementation of euthanasia and assisted suicide (2021) - Anti-nausea/vomiting protocol
The Peaceful Pill Handbook (2025) - Philip Nitschke
Uitweg, Chabot & Graafland (2024)
Coöperatie Laatste Wil (June 2025)
According to eyewitness reports, the method is painless and highly effective when the instructions are carefully followed.
Trouw (November 2024)
Els Huizinga decided to end her life using sodium azide. Hans Peltenburg and Els van Poppel were present at Els Huizinga's passing.
See
www.steungroepdappereburgers.nl (Brave Citizens Support Group Foundation) for updates to this schedule and other news.
Non-public source:
Case studies: 30 testimonies from relatives (2017–2025) – known to CLW
Toxicological report on sodium azide, Dr. G.H.M. Counotte, toxicologist (ERT) – Zwolle (2017) (on members' page
www.laatstewil.nu)
