Etomidate

Description

Etomidate is used for inducing and maintaining unconsciousness or sleep during short surgical procedures. It should only be administered by a trained healthcare professional.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Etomidate

  • Pain at the injection site
  • Hiccups
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Cough
  • Skin rash

Uses of Etomidate

What is it prescribed for?

  • Anesthesia
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed within 30 to 60 seconds of administration of the dose.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 to 5 minutes depending on the dose and the rate of infusion.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to etomidate or any other components present along with it.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings

Labor and delivery

This medicine is not recommended for use during procedures associated with labor and delivery.

Brain development

Prolonged or repeated use of this medicine may affect brain development in children. Use this medicine with extreme caution and all the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before administering this medicine to children.

Use in children

The safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been clinically established in children below 10 years of age. However, your doctor may prescribe this medicine to children below 10 years of age when the potential benefits outweigh the risks. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before administering this medicine to children.

Driving or operating machinery

This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery after treatment with this medicine.

Missed Dose

Since this medicine is administered before and during a surgical procedure by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.

Overdose

Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Selegiline

Isocarboxazid

Verapamil

Phenelzine

Amiodarone

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including herbs and supplements as well as all your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.
Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works
This medicine works by altering the action of certain natural substances, which in turn induces unconsciousness and sedation.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Classification

Category

General anesthetics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 20 September 2018]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2017/018227s032lbl.pdf

DailyMed - Etomidate - etomidate injection solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 20 March 2019]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=94cde4e7-3b46-419f-8dda-87675da8d89d

Etomidate - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 20 March 2019]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00292

Hypnomidate - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 20 March 2019]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9777

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Information on this page was last updated on 20 Mar 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.