Thiopen 1 gm/vial

INDICATIONS

Thiopental Sodium intravenous Injection is indicated- 

As the sole anesthetic agent for brief (15 minutes) procedures,
For induction of anesthesia prior to administration of other anesthetic agents,
To supplement regional anesthesia,
To provide hypnosis during balanced anesthesia with other agents for analgesia or muscle relaxation, ... Read moreThiopental Sodium intravenous Injection is indicated- 

As the sole anesthetic agent for brief (15 minutes) procedures,
For induction of anesthesia prior to administration of other anesthetic agents,
To supplement regional anesthesia,
To provide hypnosis during balanced anesthesia with other agents for analgesia or muscle relaxation,
For the control of convulsive states during or following inhalation anesthesia, local anesthesia, or other causes,
In neurosurgical patients with increased intracranial pressure, if adequate ventilation is provided, and
For narcoanalysis and narcosynthesis in psychiatric disorders.

PHARMACOLOGY

Thiopental, a barbiturate, is used for the induction of anesthesia prior to the use of other general anesthetic agents and for induction of anesthesia for short surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures associated with minimal painful stimuli. Thiopental is an ultrashort-acting depressant of the central nervous system which induces hypnosis and anesthesia, but not analgesia. It produces hypnosis within 30 to 40 seconds of intravenous injection. Recovery after a small dose is rapid, with some somnolence and retrograde amnesia. Repeated intravenous doses lead to prolonged anesthesia because fatty tissues act as a reservoir; they accumulate Pentothal in concentrations 6 to 12 times greater than the plasma concentration, and then release the drug slowly to cause prolonged anesthesiaThiopental binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABAA receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged.

DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION

Thiopental Injection is administered intravenously normally as a 2.5% w/v solution. On occasions it may be administered as a 5% w/v solution (500 mg in 10 ml). The intravenous injection preparation should be used after reconstitution of the sterile powder with Water for Injections, usually to produce a 2.5% w/v solution.Premedication: Premedication usually consists of atropine or scopolamine to suppress vagal reflexes and inhibit secretions. In addition, a barbiturate or an opiate is often given. Ideally, the peak effect of these medications should be reached shortly before the time of induction.Test dose: It is advisable to inject a small "test" dose of 25 mg to 75 mg of Thiopental Sodium for Injection to assess tolerance or unusual sensitivity to Thiopental Sodium for Injection, and pausing to observe patient reaction for at least 60 seconds. If unexpectedly deep anesthesia develops or if respiratory depression occurs, consider these possibilities: (1) the patient may be unusually sensitive to Thiopental Sodium for Injection, (2) the solution may be more concentrated than had been assumed, or (3) the patient may have received too much.Use in anaesthesia: Normal dosage for the induction of anesthesia is 100 mg to 150 mg injected over 10 to 15 seconds. If necessary, a repeat dose of 100 mg to 150 mg may be given after one minute. No fixed dosage recommendations for the intravenous injection can be given, since the dosage will need to be carefully adjusted according to the patient's response. Factors such as age, sex, and weight of the patient should be taken into consideration. Thiopental Sodium reaches effective concentrations in the brain within 30 seconds and anesthesia is normally produced within one minute of an intravenous dose.

Adult: 100 mg to 150 mg intravenously over 10 to 15 seconds, normally as a 2.5% w/v solution. A repeat dose of 100 mg to 150 mg may be given after one minute. The intravenous injection should be given slowly and the amount given titrated against the patient's response to minimize the risk of respiratory depression or the possibility of over dosage. The average dose for an adult of 70 kg is roughly 200 mg to 300 mg (8 mls to 12 mls of a 2.5% w/v solution) with a maximum of 500 mg.
Children: 2 mg/kg to 7 mg/kg bodyweight, intravenously over 10 to 15 seconds, normally as a 2.5% w/v solution. A repeat dose of 2 mg/kg to 7 mg/kg may be given after one minute. The dose is 2 mg/kg to 7 mg/kg based on the patient's response. The dose for children should not exceed 7 mg/kg.
Elderly: Smaller adult doses are advisable.

Use in convulsive states: 75 mg to 125 mg (3 mls to 5 mls of a 2.5% w/v solution) should be given as soon as possible after the convulsion begins. Further doses may be required to control convulsion following the use of a local anesthetic. Other regimens, such as the use of intravenous or rectal diazepam, may be used to control convulsive states.

INTERACTION

Possible increase in difficulty in producing anaesthesia in patients taking alcohol or CNS depressants. Additive action with other CNS depressants including sedatives, hypnotics, nitrous oxide or alcohol. Increased hypotension and excitatory effects with phenothiazine antipsychotics. Increased hypnotic effect with antipsychotic. Decreased requirement of thiopental sodium with metoclopramide, sulfisoxazole, aspirin, meprobamate, probenecid and other highly protein bound drugs.

SIDE EFFECTS

Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported. Other adverse reactions to thiopental sodium include the followings: respiratory depression, myocardial depression, cardiac arrhythmias, prolonged somnolence and recovery, hypotension, tachycardia, sneezing, coughing, bronchospasm, laryngospasm and shivering. Anaphylactic reactions have been reported. Symptoms, e.g., urticaria, bronchospasm, vasodilation and edema.

PREGNANCY & LACTATION

Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Thiopental. It is also not known whether Thiopental can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Thiopental should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. Thiopental sodium readily crosses the placental barrier and small amounts may appear in the milk of nursing mothers following administration of large doses.

PRECAUTIONS & WARNINGS

A person competent in anesthesia management should be in constant attendance and adequate facilities for support of respiration and circulation should be available when Thiopental Sodium for injection is being used. Thiopental Sodium for Injection should be administered with caution to patients with preexisting hypotension or in conditions where the hypnotic effect may be prolonged or intensified, such as in the presence of liver disease and renal disease. This product may be habit forming. Keep resuscitative and endotracheal intubation equipment and oxygen readily available. Maintain patency of the airway at all times. Only persons qualified in the use of anesthetics should administer this drug. Avoid extravasations or intra-arterial injection.

THERAPEUTIC CLASS

General (Intravenous) anesthetics

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store at controlled room temperature of 15° C to 30° C. Solutions should be freshly prepared and used immediately. Any portion of the contents remaining should be discarded.