Thiopental sodium

Description

Thiopental sodium is an anesthetic used for inducing and maintaining unconsciousness or sleep during surgical procedures. It is also used to reduce intracranial pressure in neurosurgical patients and as an adjunct for the control of fits during or following inhalation anesthesia or local anesthetics. It should only be administered by a trained healthcare professional.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Thiopental sodium

  • Weak/shallow breathing
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Chills or shivering
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Drowsiness
  • Cough
  • Sneezing
  • Low blood pressure

Uses of Thiopental sodium

What is it prescribed for?

  • Anesthesia
  • Seizures
  • Coma induction
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The amount of time taken by this medicine to show its effect is subject to vary based on the individuals.
  • Duration of effect
    The amount of time for which this medicine remains effective is subject to vary based on the individuals.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Alcohol should not be consumed prior to or after receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of severe side effects such as respiratory depression, low blood pressure, dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
  • Is it habit forming?
    Has a potential for abuse. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to thiopental or any other inactive ingredients present in the formulation.

Respiratory depression

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with respiratory depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Porphyria

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with porphyria due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Myasthenia gravis

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with myasthenia gravis due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Severe anemia

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe anemia due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

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

Breast-feeding

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

Heart diseases

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with heart diseases due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Thyroid disorders

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with thyroid diseases due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

Hypovolemia

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a low level of fluids in the body due to the risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of the clinical condition, appropriate dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition of the patient.

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 immediately after treatment with this medicine.

Hypotension

Patients undergoing anesthesia with this medicine should be monitored closely for early signs of severe hypotension (low blood pressure) and/or cardiac depression. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.

Missed Dose

Since this medicine is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional before and during a surgical procedure in the clinical/hospital setting, the likelihood of a missed 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 less. 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

N/A

Instructions

Alcohol should not be consumed prior to or after receiving this medicine since it may increase the risk of severe side effects such as respiratory depression, low blood pressure, dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating.
Interaction with Medicine

Selegiline

Isocarboxazid

Dicumarol

Phenelzine

Amlodipine

Disease interactions

Liver disease

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of liver function is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Addison's Disease

This medicine should not be used in patients with Addison disease or any adrenal gland disorder due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Kidney Disease

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Regular monitoring of kidney function is necessary for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
This medicine is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor 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

Unknown

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

General anesthetics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 4 January 2019]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00599

[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 26 February 2019]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.62.pdf

Thiopental injection - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 9 September 2019]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/62/smpc

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Information on this page was last updated on 9 Sep 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.