Pharmacology for Anaesthesia and Intensive Care

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8 General anaesthetic agents

—

—

—

—

—

—

——

—

C 2 H 5

CH
C 3 H 7

CH 3

CH 3

H

S

O

Thiopental

Methohexitone

Etomidate

N

N

N

N

N

O

O

O

H

N

HO

O

CH 2
CH——CH 2

CH 3

CH
C C
C 2 H 5

C 2 H 5 O —C

H — C — CH 3

(CH 3 ) 2
CH CH
(CH 3 ) (^2) Ketamine
O
Cl
NH
CH 3
OH
Propofol

———

Figure 8.6.Chemical structure of some intravenous anaesthetics.

Miscellaneous – unpleasant side effects relate to pain on injection in up to 25% of

patients, excitatory movements and nausea and vomiting. It may also precipitate

aporphyric crisis.

Kinetics

Etomidate is 75% bound to albumin. Its actions are terminated by rapid distribution

into tissues, while its elimination from the body depends on hepatic metabolism and