Thiopentone
Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class)
What it is used for
Induction of general anesthesia; used alone in short surgical procedures; short term control of seizures; elevated intracranial pressure; cerebral protection in focal cerebral ischemia as observed in head injuries and status epilepticus [this protection is due to the fact that thiopentone reduces cerebral metabolic rate and blood flow]
Warnings
Use cautiously in patients with: asthma [as it causes bronchospasm]; muscular dystrophies; myotonias; severe respiratory disorders; dose is adjusted downwards in case of renal or hepatic disorders and in elderly patients.
Possible side effects
Hypotension; myocardial depression; respiratory depression; garlic-like taste during induction; erythema; pain at injection site; laryngospasm and rarely bronchospasm; anaphylaxis [rarely]; extravasations can cause tissue necrosis. The intra-arterial injection can cause arterial spasm, thrombosis, and gangrene.
Storage
Store as labelled. Keep out of reach of children.
No reviewed patient-education article is available. The fields shown are from the currently verified medicine record and unavailable fields are not inferred.