thiopental and minaxolone

The use of intravenous anaesthetic agents by continuous infusion requires knowledge of their pharmacokinetic properties. In this article, the general pharmacokinetic principles behind the use of infusions of intravenous agents are presented and the literature with regard to the individual drugs used in this way is reviewed.

Topics: Adult; Alfaxalone Alfadolone Mixture; Anesthesia, Intravenous; Anesthetics; Animals; Etomidate; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Infusions, Parenteral; Kinetics; Mathematics; Methohexital; Middle Aged; Models, Biological; Phenols; Pregnanolone; Propofol; Rats; Thiopental

Topics: Alfaxalone Alfadolone Mixture; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; Anesthesia, Intravenous; Anesthetics; Drug Hypersensitivity; Etomidate; Humans; Ketamine; Methohexital; Phenols; Pregnanolone; Propanidid; Propofol; Thiopental

Thiopentone 20 mg kg-1, ketamine 8 mg kg-1 and minaxolone 2 mg kg-1 were administered to fasting greyhound dogs. Mechanical and electrical activities from stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum were recorded using strain gauge force transducers and implanted bipolar electrodes. Thiopentone and minaxolone caused intense activity in the duodenum and jejunum (phase I and phase II of the interdigestive cycle), but not the stomach or ileum. The activity following injection of thiopentone or minaxolone was prevented by premedication with either atropine 0.05 mg kg-1 or pentolinium 0.2 mg kg-1. Ketamine had no influence on gastrointestinal activity or the response to thiopentone or minaxolone. None of these drugs altered the basal electrical rhythm of the intestine.

Topics: Action Potentials; Anesthesia, Intravenous; Anesthetics; Animals; Atropine; Dogs; Gastrointestinal Motility; Intestine, Small; Ketamine; Pentolinium Tartrate; Pregnanes; Pregnanolone; Thiopental

The induction characteristics of minaxolone, a water-soluble steroid anaesthetic, were studied in fit patients undergoing minor urological or gynaecological operations. Minaxolone acted as rapidly as thiopentone. A dose of 0.25 mg kg-1 did not always produce anaesthesia in patients who had not received premedication but 0.5 mg kg-1 was an adequate dose. Excitatory effects were less common with the higher doses of anaesthetic. These effects were usually slight and rarely interfered with the course of anaesthesia. Unlike propanidid, minaxolone did not prolong the duration of action of suxamethonium. Minaxolone is easy to administer and causes little venous damage.

Topics: Anesthesia, Intravenous; Anesthetics; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Evaluation; Female; Humans; Male; Minor Surgical Procedures; Pregnanes; Pregnanolone; Propanidid; Solubility; Thiopental