Thiopental

Action and Spectrum

Action and Spectrum: 

Thiopental enhances the inhibitory neurotransmission mediated with gamma-aminobutyric acid at the GABA-A receptor.  

Drug Interaction

Adverse Reaction

Frequency not defined  

Drowsiness 

Sneezing 

Coughing 

Weak or shallow breathing 

Slow heartbeats 

Chills 

Wheezing 

Chest tightness  

Tight feeling in throat 

Black Box Warning

Black box warning: 

None 

Contraindication / Caution

Contraindications/caution: 

Contraindications: 

Hypersensitivity 

Cautions: 

Hepatic impairment 

Cardiovascular diseases 

Pregnancy / Lactation

Pregnancy Warnings: 

Pregnancy category: N/A 

Lactation: Excretion of the drug into the human breast milk is known 

Pregnancy categories: 

• Category A: Satisfactory and well-controlled studies show no evidence of risk to the fetus in the first trimester or in the later trimester. 
• Category B: No evidence of risk to fetus found in animal reproduction studies and there are not enough studies on pregnant women. 
• Category C: Adverse effects on the fetus found with evidence in animal reproduction studies and no adequate evidence for an effect in humans, care must be taken for potential risks in pregnant women. 
• Category D: There is adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite potential risks may be used only in emergency cases for potential benefits. 
• Category X: Drugs listed in this category clearly outweigh risks over benefits. These category drugs should be prohibited for pregnant women. 
• Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this category. 

Pharmacology

Pharmacology: Thiopental binds to GABAA receptor to enhance Cl- ion-pore opening time which increased post-synaptic GABA inhibitory effect in thalamus. 

Pharmacodynamics: Repeated doses of Pentothal accumulate in fatty tissues, that acts as a reservoir occurs in prolonged anesthesia with slow release of the drug. 

Pharmacokinetic: 

Metabolism: 

The metabolism takes place in the liver. 

Adminstartion

Administration: 

It is administered through intravenous route. 

Patient Information Leaflet

Patient information leaflet: 

Generic Name: Thiopental 

Why do we use Thiopental? 

Thiopental is indicated as anesthesia in various surgical and diagnostic procedures/interventions. 

It is also effective in the treatment of seizures.