| Item |
Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved |
|
Description
|
Imidazole derivative anesthetic and hypnotic with little effect on blood gases, ventilation, or the cardiovascular system. It has been proposed as an induction anesthetic. [PubChem] |
| Indication |
Used in the induction of general anesthesia. |
| Pharmacology |
Etomidate is a non-barbiturate hypnotic that acts at the level of the reticular-activating system to produce anesthesia. Etomidate is an imidazole compound that appears to depress CNS function via GABA. Duration of action is intermediate between thiopental and methohexital, and recovery from a single dose is rapid with little residual depression. Like the barbiturates and propofol, etomidate is does not induce analgesia. Etomidate induces unconsciousness within one circulation time. Recovery is rapid as a result of extensive redistribution and rapid metabolism. |
| Toxicity |
Undesirable side effects of etomidate that may limit its use include pain on injection, myoclonus and adrenocortical suppression lasting 4-6 hours following an induction dose. |
| Affected Organisms |
| • |
Humans and other mammals |
|
| Biotransformation |
Hepatic. Metabolized rapidly by ester hydrolysis to inactive metabolites. |
| Half Life |
75 minutes. |
| Protein Binding |
76%, primarily to serum albumin. |
| Elimination |
Approximately 75% of the administered dose is excreted in the urine during the first day after injection. |
| External Links |
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