Pentothal (Thiopental Sodium) - Summary

PENTOTHAL SUMMARY

Pentothal (Thiopental Sodium for Injection) is a thiobarbiturate, the sulfur analogue of sodium pentobarbital. The drug is prepared as a sterile powder and after reconstitution with an appropriate diluent is administered by the intravenous route.

Pentothal (Thiopental Sodium for Injection) is indicated (1) as the sole anesthetic agent for brief (15 minute) procedures, (2) for induction of anesthesia prior to administration of other anesthetic agents, (3) to supplement regional anesthesia, (4) to provide hypnosis during balanced anesthesia with other agents for analgesia or muscle relaxation, (5) for the control of convulsive states during or following inhalation anesthesia, local anesthesia, or other causes, (6) in neurosurgical patients with increased intracranial pressure, if adequate ventilation is provided, and (7) for narcoanalysis and narcosynthesis in psychiatric disorders.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Pentothal (Thiopental)

Effect of etomidate versus thiopental on major depressive disorder in electroconvulsive therapy, a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. [2012]
sodium thiopental on the depression symptoms in patients who have received ECT... CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, etomidate may improve major depressive disorder more

Effect of Etomidate Versus Thiopental on Major Depressive Disorder in Electroconvulsive Therapy, a Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial. [2011.10.06]
BACKGROUND:: Although the therapeutic effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on major depressive disorder is widely investigated, there is a gap in literature regarding the possible effects of the medications used for induction of anesthesia in ECT. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing the effect of etomidate and sodium thiopental on the depression symptoms in patients who have received ECT... CONCLUSIONS:: In conclusion, etomidate may improve major depressive disorder more than sodium thiopental in patients who are receiving ECT.

Onset time and haemodynamic response after thiopental vs. propofol in the elderly: a randomized trial. [2011.04]
BACKGROUND: The induction dose of hypnotic agents should be reduced in the elderly, but it is not well studied whether thiopental or propofol should be preferred in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to compare onset time, hypnosis level and the haemodynamic response after thiopental vs. propofol for induction of anaesthesia. Our primary hypothesis was that in the elderly, thiopental had a shorter onset time than propofol, defined as time to bispectral index (BIS) <50... CONCLUSION: Thiopental was found to have a faster onset than propofol in elderly surgical patients. (c) 2011 The Authors. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica (c) 2011 The Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica Foundation.

Evaluation of the effects of thiopental, propofol, and etomidate on glomerular filtration rate measured by the use of dynamic computed tomography in dogs. [2011.01]
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of thiopental, propofol, and etomidate on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) measured by the use of dynamic computed tomography in dogs... Therefore, etomidate, propofol, or thiopental can be used in anesthesia-induction protocols that involve the use of isoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia without adversely affecting GFR measurements obtained by the use of dynamic computed tomography in dogs.

What is the optimal remifentanil dosage for providing excellent intubating conditions when coadministered with thiopental? A prospective randomized dose-response study. [2010.07]
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to determine the dosage of remifentanil that must be added to thiopental 5 mg kg(-1) to provide excellent intubating conditions in 95% of patients... CONCLUSION: The dosage of remifentanil providing excellent intubating conditions in 95% of patients when coadministered with thiopental 5 mg kg(-1) in healthy premedicated female patients undergoing elective surgery was more than 7 microg kg(-1). Our results question the feasibility of using thiopental for a relaxant-free protocol for anaesthesia.

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Clinical Trials Related to Pentothal (Thiopental)

Thiopental Versus Propofol During Magnetic Resonance Imagining in Children: Something Old, Something New [Recruiting]
Magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) in children requires sedation to achieve the degree of cooperation or immobilization, necessary to complete these procedures successfully. In this study the investigators analyze two most popular anesthetics used for this procedure, sodium thiopental and propofol. The aim of this study is to determine optimal dose of propofol and thiopental during MRI and to establish safety and efficacy of these drugs.

Onset Time of Thiopental Versus Propofol in the Elderly [Completed]
This study is aimed at increasing the safety of the use of anaesthesia in an elderly population (> 60 years). Patients with decreased physiological reserve, including all elderly patients, have an increased risk of getting an erroneous induction bolus. This project will investigate how fast elderly patients (> 60 years) fall asleep during bolus induction of anaesthesia with two of the most used hypnotics, thiopental and propofol, evaluated with BIS-monitoring and clinical signs of anaesthetic depth. The hemodynamic response will also be evaluated.

Comparison of Effectiveness of Pentobarbital and Thiopental in Patients With Refractory Intracranial Hypertension [Terminated]
Objective: to assess the effectiveness of pentobarbital and thiopental to control raised intracranial pressure (ICP), refractory to first level measures, in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Material and methods: prospective, randomized open study to compare the effectiveness between two treatments: pentobarbital and thiopental. The patients will be selected from those admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with a severe traumatic brain injury (postresuscitation Glasgow Coma Scale equal or less than 8 points) and raised ICP (ICP>20 mmHg) refractory to first level measures according to the Brain Trauma Foundation guidelines. The adverse effects of both treatments were also collected.

Comparison of Thiopental and Propofol as Anaesteticum During ECT [Recruiting]
Electroconvulsive therapy is the most effective treatment in severe depression and the effect is related to the generalized seizure induced by the treatment. General anesthesia is used during the treatment. Since only a brief period of unconsciousness is required anesthetics with a rapid recovery profile are used. Methohexital, a barbiturat, is internationally considered "the golden standard", bot other short-acting anesthetics are used. In Denmark the most frequent used anestheticum for ECT is Thiopental, a barbiturat, but also Propofol, a non-barbiturat, is used in many psychiatric departments. Several studies have shown that Propofol reduce seizure duration in comparison with barbiturates. So far, no studies have demonstrated any clinical implications of the reduced seiziure duration. However, these studies have included rather few patiens, most have been retrospective, and in the only prospective study conducted, uni-lateral ECT was used. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical effect of ECT in patients anesthesized with either Propofol or Thiopental. The hypothesis is that the shorter duration of seizures found with Propofol as anestheticum will increase the number of treatments needed to clinial respons. Furthermore we want to study differences in EEG-relate parameters previously shown to have prognostic value. Hospitalized patients with major depression, who is to be treated with ECT, are randomized to anesthizia with either Thiopental or Propofol. They are rated with Hamilton depression scale and BDI before treatment, after six treatments and when treatment is concluded. When treatment is ended the patients are furthermore rated with MMSE to evaluate their degree of cognitive impairment.

The Cortisol Levels During Cardiac Surgery. The Comparison Between Etomidate and Thiopentone [Completed]
During induction for cardiac surgery, patient hemodynamic stability is achieved by using anesthetic drugs which least affects hemodynamics such as benzodiazepines, etomidate. Etomidate although has been used for a long time but its safety regarding cortisol synthesis suppression is still doubtful. This study measures the changes in cortisol levels during cardiac surgery with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass by comparison between two inductive agents (etomidate and thiopentone). Recording data also include hemodynamic changes during induction, inotropic use for coming of cardiopulmonary bypass, blood glucose levels, amount of insulin usage, length of ICU and hospital saty.

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Reports of Suspected Pentothal (Thiopental) Side Effects

Dermatitis Exfoliative (5),  Agranulocytosis (4),  Toxic Skin Eruption (4),  Respiratory Depression (3),  Multi-Organ Failure (3),  Fatigue (3),  Rash Morbilliform (3),  Rash Maculo-Papular (3),  Encephalitis (2),  Pyrexia (2), more >>