.Pharmacolibrary.Drugs.N_NervousSystem.N01A_AnestheticsGeneral.N01AF03_Thiopental.Thiopental

Information

Thiopental (formerly marketed as sodium thiopental, known as Pentothal) is a rapid-onset short-acting barbiturate anesthetic. It was widely used for induction of anesthesia and for short surgical or diagnostic procedures. It is no longer widely available or used in many countries today, but remains of historical and pharmacological significance.

Pharmacokinetics

Parameters reported for healthy adult subjects after single intravenous bolus administration.

References

1. Stanski, DR, & Maitre, PO (1990). Population pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of thiopental: the effect of age revisited. Anesthesiology 72(3) 412–422. DOI:10.1097/00000542-199003000-00003 PUBMED:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2310020

2. Huynh, F, et al., & Ensom, MH (2009). A critical review: does thiopental continuous infusion warrant therapeutic drug monitoring in the critical care population?. Therapeutic drug monitoring 31(2) 153–169. DOI:10.1097/FTD.0b013e318196fb9f PUBMED:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19177032

3. Eilers, H, & Niemann, C (2003). Clinically important drug interactions with intravenous anaesthetics in older patients. Drugs & aging 20(13) 969–980. DOI:10.2165/00002512-200320130-00002 PUBMED:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14561101

Revisions

• 06/2025 initial generated model