Precautions and warnings

A trained anesthesia professional should always be present when Thiopental Sodium for injection is used, and proper equipment to help with breathing and circulation should be ready. Use Thiopental Sodium carefully in patients who already have low blood pressure or in those with liver or kidney problems, since the effects of the drug may last longer or be stronger.

**Warnings:**
This medication can be habit-forming. Always have emergency equipment, such as tools for intubation and oxygen, available. Make sure the patient’s airway stays open at all times. Only people properly trained in anesthesia should give this drug. Do not inject it into an artery or outside the vein.

Drug Interactions

It may be harder to give anesthesia to patients who drink alcohol or use drugs that slow down the brain (CNS depressants). These drugs can work together, making their effects stronger, especially when taken with sedatives, sleeping pills, laughing gas (nitrous oxide), or alcohol. Using anesthesia with certain antipsychotic drugs (like phenothiazines) can cause more low blood pressure and excitement. Antipsychotics can also make anesthesia more powerful, causing a stronger sleep-like effect.

If the patient is also taking drugs like metoclopramide, sulfisoxazole, aspirin, meprobamate, probenecid, or other drugs that bind strongly to proteins, they might need a lower dose of thiopental sodium.

Warning: Mixing anesthesia with opioids can greatly increase the risk of dangerous breathing problems.

Contraindications

Thiopental Sodium for Injection should **not be used** in people who have:

- Serious breathing problems
- Allergies to barbiturates
- Status asthmaticus (severe asthma attacks)
- Certain types of porphyria (variegate or acute intermittent)
- Infections or inflammation in the mouth, jaw, or neck
- No suitable veins for intravenous injection

It should also **be avoided or used with caution** in people who have:

- Serious heart disease
- Very low blood pressure or are in shock
- Conditions that can make the drug’s effects last longer or be stronger, such as:
- Taking too many sedatives beforehand
- Addison’s disease
- Liver or kidney problems
- Myxedema (severe hypothyroidism)
- High blood urea
- Severe anemia
- Myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder)

Mode of actions

Thiopental sodium is a type of barbiturate that works quickly to make people sleepy or unconscious, but it does not relieve pain. It is mainly used as an anaesthetic to put people to sleep for surgery. It can also be used to help control severe seizures (status epilepticus) that do not respond to other treatments, and to lower high pressure inside the skull for patients who have had brain surgery.

Dosage & Administration

Intravenous
Induction of anaesthesia
Adult: 100-150 mg of a 2.5 or 5% solution injected over 10-15 sec repeated every 30-60 sec according to response or as a continuous infusion of a 0.2 or 0.4% solution. Max: 500mg. Max in pregnancy: 250mg.
Child: 2-7 mg/kg over 10-15 seconds; repeated after 1 minute if needed..

Status epilepticus
Adult: In conjunction with assisted ventilation: 75-125 mg as a 2.5% solution.
Child: 5 mg/kg by slow IV inj followed by, neonates: continuous iv infusion of 2.5 mg/kg/hr; >1 month: 2-8 mg/kg/hr. Adjust infusion dose according to response.

Reduction of raised intracranial pressure
Adult: Intermittent bolus inj of 1.5-3.5 mg/kg, if adequate ventilation is provided.
Child: 3 mth-15 yr: initial 5-10-mg/kg IV followed by a continuous IV infusion at 1-4 mg/kg/hr.
Elderly: Dose reduction may be needed.
Hepatic impairment: Dose reduction may be needed.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Although animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, but during pregnancy, this medicine can be used just when definitely required despite potential risks.

Mothers with a newborn baby who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may seldom create symptoms including drowsiness, muscle stiffness or shakiness, feeding or breathing troubles, constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms of your baby's particularly during their first month, tell the doctor immediately.

This medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

Pack Size & Price