• See Also
  1. Rapid Sequence Intubation
  1. Use lower dose if patient volume depleted
  2. Sedative Induction prior to intubation (RSI)
    1. Thiopental 3-5 mg/kg IVP
  • Pharmacokinetics
  1. Onset: 1 min
  2. Duration: 10-30 minutes
    1. May have prolonged duration with drug released from fat stores
  1. Largely replaced by newer agents for RSI (e.g. Etomidate, Ketamine)
  2. Situations where Thiopental might still be considered in RSI
    1. Status Epilepticus (Fast-acting anti-epileptic)
    2. Increased Intracranial Pressure (Fastest lowering of ICP of any induction agent)
  • Contraindication
  1. Hypotension
  2. Asthma
  3. Congestive Heart Failure
  4. Porphyria
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Hypotension
  2. Histamine release
  3. Bronchoconstriction
  4. Skin necrosis if infiltrates (highly alkalotic agent with pH 10)