II. Dosing: Rapid Sequence Intubation

  1. Use lower dose if patient volume depleted
  2. Sedative Induction prior to intubation (RSI)
    1. Thiopental 3-5 mg/kg IVP

III. Pharmacokinetics

  1. Onset: 1 min
  2. Duration: 10-30 minutes
    1. May have prolonged duration with drug released from fat stores

IV. Indications: Sedation in Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI)

  1. Largely replaced by newer agents for RSI (e.g. Etomidate, Ketamine)
  2. Situations where Thiopental might still be considered in RSI
    1. Status Epilepticus (Fast-acting anti-epileptic)
    2. Increased Intracranial Pressure (Fastest lowering of ICP of any induction agent)

V. Contraindication

VI. Adverse Effects

  1. Hypotension
  2. Histamine release
  3. Bronchoconstriction
  4. Skin necrosis if infiltrates (highly alkalotic agent with pH 10)

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Ontology: Thiopental (C0039925)

Definition (MSH) A barbiturate that is administered intravenously for the induction of general anesthesia or for the production of complete anesthesia of short duration.
Definition (CSP) ultra-short acting barbiturate used as an anesthetic, anticonvulsant, and narcoanalysis.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D013874
SnomedCT 349829005, 412605006
LNC LP16289-8, MTHU003356
English Penthiobarbital, Thiomebumal, Thiopental, Thiopentobarbital, Thiopentone, thiopental, 4,6(1H,5H)-Pyrimidinedione, 5-ethyldihydro-5-(1-methylbutyl)-2-thioxo-, Thiopental [Chemical/Ingredient], thiopentone, Thiopentone (product), Thiopentone (substance), THIOPENTAL
Swedish Tiopental
Czech thiopental
Spanish tiopentona, tiopental (producto), tiopental, tiopental (sustancia), Pentiobarbital, Tiomebumal, Tiopental, Tiopentobarbital
Finnish Tiopentaali
Russian PENTIOBARBITAL, TIOPENTOBARBITAL, TIOPENTAL-NATRII, TIOMEBUMAL, TIOPENTAL, ПЕНТИОБАРБИТАЛ, ТИОМЕБУМАЛ, ТИОПЕНТАЛ, ТИОПЕНТАЛ-НАТРИЙ, ТИОПЕНТОБАРБИТАЛ
Japanese チオメブマール, ペンチオバルビタール, チオペンタール, チオペントバルビタール, チオペントン, チオペンタールナトリウム
Croatian TIOPENTAL
Polish Tiopental
French Thiopental
German Penthiobarbital, Thiomebumal, Thiopental, Thiopentobarbital
Italian Tiopental
Portuguese Pentiobarbital, Tiomebumal, Tiopental, Tiopentobarbital

Ontology: Pentothal (C0600350)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D013874
English Merial Brand of Thiopental Sodium, pentothal, Pentothal, Pentothal Sodico, Abbott Brand of Thiopental Sodium