Sodium thiopental
Sodium Thiopental
Sodium thiopental (pronounced: so-dee-um thio-pen-tal), also known as Pentothal, is a rapid-onset short-acting barbiturate general anesthetic. It is an intravenous anesthetic agent used for the induction of general anesthesia and for sedation for short procedures.
Etymology
The term "Sodium thiopental" is derived from its chemical structure. "Sodium" refers to the sodium salt form of the drug, "thio" indicates the presence of a sulfur atom (replacing an oxygen atom in the similar compound pentobarbital), and "pent" refers to the five carbon atoms present in the molecule, while "al" denotes the presence of an aldehyde functional group.
Usage
Sodium thiopental is used in anesthesia for inducing unconsciousness quickly. It is also used for the control of certain types of epilepsy, and to reduce intracranial pressure in neurosurgical patients. In addition, it is used in lethal injections in some jurisdictions.
Pharmacology
Sodium thiopental belongs to the class of drugs known as barbiturates. It works by depressing the central nervous system, causing sedation and sleep. It also decreases cerebral metabolic demand and cerebral blood flow.
Side Effects
Common side effects of sodium thiopental include respiratory depression, hypotension, and allergic reactions. Prolonged use can lead to physical and psychological dependence.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Sodium thiopental
- Wikipedia's article - Sodium thiopental
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