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Anesthetics, General  (Systemic)

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Contents of this page:

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

  • Amidate2
  • Brevital6
  • Diprivan9
  • E¯thrane1
  • Fluothane3
  • Forane4
  • Ketalar5
  • Penthrane7
  • Pentothal10

In Canada—

  • Brietal6
  • Diprivan9
  • E¯thrane1
  • Fluothane3
  • Forane4
  • Ketalar5
  • Pentothal10

Note:

For quick reference, the following general anesthetics are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.

Other commonly used names are: Methohexitone; Thiopentone

This information applies to the following medicines:
1.  Enflurane (EN-floo-rane)
2.  Etomidate (e-TOM-i-date)
3.  Halothane (HA-loe-thane)
4.  Isoflurane (eye-soe-FLURE-ane)
5.  Ketamine (KEET-a-meen)
6.  Methohexital (meth-oh-HEX-i-tal)
7.  Methoxyflurane (meth-ox-ee-FLOO-rane)
8.  Nitrous Oxide (NYE-trus)
9.  Propofol (PROE-po-fole)
10.  Thiopental (thye-oh-PEN-tal)
‡  Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§  Generic name product may be available in Canada
*  Not commercially available in the U.S.
†  Not commercially available in Canada

Category


Description

General anesthetics ( an-ess-THET-iks) normally are used to produce loss of consciousness before and during surgery. However, for obstetrics (labor and delivery) or certain minor procedures, an anesthetic may be given in small amounts to relieve anxiety or pain without causing unconsciousness. Some of the anesthetics may be used for certain procedures in a medical doctor's or dentist's office.

Propofol is used sometimes in patients in intensive care units in hospitals to cause unconsciousness. This may allow the patients to withstand the stress of being in the intensive care unit and help the patients cooperate when a machine must be used to assist with breathing. However, propofol should not be used in children in intensive care units.

Thiopental also is sometimes used to control convulsions (seizures) caused by certain medicines or seizure disorders. Thiopental may be used to reduce pressure on the brain in certain conditions. Thiopental also is used to help treat some mental disorders. Thiopental may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

General anesthetics are usually given by inhalation or by injection into a vein. However, certain anesthetics may be given rectally to help produce sleep before surgery or certain other procedures. Although most general anesthetics can be used by themselves in producing loss of consciousness, some are often used together. This allows for more effective anesthesia in certain patients.

General anesthetics are given only by or under the immediate supervision of a medical doctor or dentist trained to use them. If you will be receiving a general anesthetic during surgery, your doctor or anesthesiologist will give you the medicine and closely follow your progress.

General anesthetics are available in the following dosage forms:



Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For general anesthetics, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to barbiturates or general anesthetics. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—

General anesthetics may cause unwanted effects, such as drowsiness, in the newborn baby if large amounts are given to the mother during labor and delivery.

Breast-feeding—Barbiturate anesthetics (methohexital and thiopental), halothane, and propofol pass into the breast milk. However, general anesthetics have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

Children—Anesthetics given by inhalation and ketamine have been tested in children and have not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children than they do in adults.

Although there is no specific information comparing use of etomidate in children with use in other age groups, this medicine is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Although there is no specific information comparing use of thiopental administered intravenously in children with use in other age groups, using thiopental intravenously in children is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.

Propofol has been tested in children to produce loss of consciousness before and during surgery. It has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults. Propofol should not be used in critically ill children to help the children withstand the stress of being in the intensive care unit. Some critically ill children have developed problems with their body chemistries after receiving propofol, and a few children have died as a result of this. It is not known if propofol or the severe illnesses of the children caused this problem.

Older adults—Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of the barbiturate anesthetics (methohexital and thiopental), etomidate, propofol, and anesthetics given by inhalation. This may increase the chance of side effects.

Ketamine has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving general anesthetics, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other medicine, including any of the following:

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of general anesthetics. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:


Proper Use of This Medicine

Dosing—

The dose of a general anesthetic will be different for different patients. Your doctor will decide on the right amount for you. The dose will depend on:


Precautions While Using This Medicine

For patients going home within 24 hours after receiving a general anesthetic:


Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. While you are receiving a general anesthetic, your doctor will closely follow its effects. However, some effects may not be noticed until later.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur within 2 weeks after you have received an anesthetic:

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. The following side effects should go away as the effects of the anesthetic wear off. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.


Additional Information

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not included in product labeling, ketamine and thiopental are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.

Revised: 12/04/2001

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