Thiopental
Brand Names
ThiopentalWhat is Thiopental
Thiopental is a medication that belongs to a group of drugs called barbiturates. It works by slowing the activity of your brain and nervous system. Thiopental helps you to relax before you receive general anesthesia with an inhaled medication.
Side effects of Thiopental
Possible side effects caused by this medication may include:
- severe pain while receiving this medication;
- coughing;
- sneezing;
- hiccups.
Indication
Thiopental helps you to relax before you receive general anesthesia with an inhaled medication.
Precautions
You should not receive this medication if you have:
- allergy to thiopental or other barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);
- liver disease;
- Addison's disease;
- severe thyroid disorder (myxedema);
- severe heart disease;
- severe low blood pressure;
- a severe breathing disorder;
- a history of porphyria (an enzyme disorder that often causes blue discoloration of the skin);
- are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Dosage forms
The usual dose of Thiopental may range for induction of anesthesia is 3-7 mg/kg; however, there are many factors that can alter this. Premedication with sedatives such as benzodiazepines or clonidine will reduce requirements, as do specific disease states and other patient factors. Among patient factors are: age, sex, lean body mass. Specific disease conditions that can alter the dose requirements of thiopentone and for that matter any other intravenous anaesthetic are: hypovolemia, burns, azotemia, hepatic failure, hypoproteinemia, etc.
