Drugs Used in Anesthesia 1

Definition
Is a drug-induced state where a patient loses
consciousness and during which state, the
patient cannot be awakened even by painful
stimulation.
General Anaesthetic Agents
State of GA is complex
Loss of consciousness
Hypnosis
Amnesia
Analgesia
Immobility
Impairment of sensory and autonomic
function
Injected General Anaesthetics
Producing unconsciousness in 30 seconds. Can
be used for:
Induction of anaesthesia (Preferrable)
Maintenance of anaesthesia. Can
produce apnoea and hypotension.
Classification
Thiopent Readily cross the BBB.
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Used for induction of anaesthesia
Sodium
Potent respiratory depressant
Under this type of anaesthesia, the
patient often requires aid in
maintaining a ventilatory function
and a patient airway as these are
impaired by the drug-induced
depression of neuromuscular
function.
Propofol Widely used
Rapid recovery and very little
hangover effect.
May cause pain on injection and
may cause tremors.
Like others, cause vasodilatation
and hypotension.
Propofol 2% amp is 20 mg/ml
Ketamin Rarely used
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Pain is not appreciated and the
patient is amnesic.
Used in re-dressing of burns or
other short duration procedures.
Adverse effects
Hallucinations
Psychotic events

Etomidat
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Salivation
Increase heart rate
Increase BP
Increase ICP
Used as induction agent
Similar to propofol
Cause less hypotension than other
drugs.

Inhaled General Anaesthetics

Classification
Nitrous
Gas at room temperature
Oxide
Rapid onset of action and recovery
Mixed with oxygen: Used to produce
analgesia without loss of
consciousness
Obstetric analgesia.
Halotha Volatile liquid at room temperature
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More potent than nitrous oxide
Causes cardiorespiratory depression
Elimination
Minor pathway: hepatic metabolism
Major pathway: most is exhaled
Lowers BP
Increase ICP (a particular problem
after head injury)
Can cross the placenta
Isoflura Volatile liquids at room temperature
ne and
Enfluran Potency is between nitrous oxide
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and halothane
General Adverse Effects
Cardiovascular (CVS)
Reduce the BP : Halothane, enflurane and
isoflurane
Central Nervous System (CNS)
All inhaled GA (except Nitrous Oxide) depress
responses to carbon dioxide.
Thus ventilation under careful control is
required.
Increase in ICP induced by all inhaled GA
Liver
Halothane: severe hepatitis
Uterus
Halothane, isoflurane, enflurane: relax
uterine muscle
Can be a problem if vaginal delivery is in
progress