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Look Up > Drugs > Methohexital
Methohexital
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Synonyms
Pharmacological Index
Use
Restrictions
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Stability
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Dietary Considerations
Administration
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Patient Information
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms
References

Pronunciation
(meth oh HEKS i tal)

U.S. Brand Names
Brevital® Sodium

Generic Available

No


Synonyms
Methohexital Sodium

Pharmacological Index

Barbiturate


Use

Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia for short procedures


Restrictions

C-IV


Pregnancy Risk Factor

C


Contraindications

Porphyria, hypersensitivity to methohexital or any component


Warnings/Precautions

Use with extreme caution in patients with liver impairment, asthma, cardiovascular instability


Adverse Reactions

>10%: Local: Pain on I.M. injection

1% to 10%: Gastrointestinal: Cramping, diarrhea, rectal bleeding

<1%: Hypotension, peripheral vascular collapse, seizures, headache, nausea, vomiting, hemolytic anemia, thrombophlebitis, tremor, twitching, rigidity, involuntary muscle movement, radial nerve palsy, apnea, respiratory depression, laryngospasm, coughing, hiccups


Overdosage/Toxicology

Symptoms of overdose include apnea, tachycardia, hypotension

Treatment is primarily supportive with mechanical ventilation if needed


Drug Interactions

CNS depressants worsen CNS depression


Stability

Do not dilute with solutions containing bacteriostatic agents; solutions are alkaline (pH 9.5-11) and incompatible with acids (eg, atropine sulfate, succinylcholine, silicone), also incompatible with phenol-containing solutions and silicone


Mechanism of Action

Ultra short-acting I.V. barbiturate anesthetic


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Onset of effect: Immediately after I.V. injection

Duration: 10-20 minutes after a single dose


Usual Dosage

Doses must be titrated to effect

I.M.: Preop: 5-10 mg/kg/dose

I.V.: Induction: 1-2 mg/kg/dose

Rectal: Preop/induction: 20-35 mg/kg/dose; usual 25 mg/kg/dose; administer as 10% aqueous solution

Adults: I.V.: Induction: 50-120 mg to start; 20-40 mg every 4-7 minutes

Dosing adjustment/comments in hepatic impairment: Lower dosage and monitor closely


Dietary Considerations

Should not be given to patients with food in stomach because of danger of vomiting during anesthesia


Administration

Dilute to a maximum concentration of 1% for I.V. use


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

Drowsiness is common


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

Used as induction anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT); concurrent use with psychotropics may produce additive CNS depression


Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions

No information available to require special precautions


Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No effects or complications reported


Patient Information

May cause drowsiness


Nursing Implications

Avoid extravasation or intra-arterial administration


Dosage Forms

Injection, as sodium: 500 mg, 2.5 g, 5 g


References

Cote' CJ, "Sedation for the Pediatric Patient," Pediatr Clin North Am, 1994, 41(1):31-58.

Folkerts H, "Spontaneous Seizure After Concurrent Use of Methohexital Anesthesia For Electroconvulsive Therapy and Paroxetine: A Case Report," J Nerv Ment Dis, 1995, 183(2):115-6.

Forbes RB, Murray DJ, Dillman JB, et al, "Pharmacokinetics of Two Percent Rectal Methohexitone in Children," Can J Anaesth, 1989, 36(2):160-4.

Wells D, Davies G, and Wagner D, "Accidental Injection of Epidural Methohexital," Anesthesiology, 1987, 67(5):846-8.


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