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General Anesthesia (GA)
General anesthesia depresses the central nervous system through multiple molecular pathways to produce unconsciousness, analgesia, and muscle relaxation.
General anesthesia depresses the central nervous system through multiple molecular pathways to produce unconsciousness, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Used for Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia for surgical procedures, Sedation in intensive care settings.
At a glance
| Generic name | General Anesthesia (GA) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston |
| Drug class | General anesthetic (combination therapy) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesiology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
General anesthesia typically involves a combination of agents (intravenous induction agents, inhaled volatile anesthetics, opioids, and neuromuscular blockers) that work synergistically. These agents enhance inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission, inhibit excitatory glutamatergic signaling, and modulate other ion channels and receptors in the CNS to produce loss of consciousness and suppression of protective airway reflexes. The exact molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood but involve multiple targets including GABA-A receptors, NMDA receptors, and potassium channels.
Approved indications
- Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia for surgical procedures
- Sedation in intensive care settings
Common side effects
- Postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Emergence delirium
- Hypotension
- Respiratory depression
- Postoperative cognitive dysfunction
Key clinical trials
- Comparison of Anesthetic Techniques for Early Recovery After Ankle Arthroscopy (NA)
- General Anesthesia and General Anesthesia Combined With Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia (NA)
- Comparative Impacts of Two Anesthesia Methods on Peripheral Tissue Oxygenation in the Upper Limb (NA)
- Functional Outcomes After LumbOpenitoneal Shunt Placement UndeR Local Anesthesia for Patients With Idiopathic Normal preSsure Hydrocephalus (FLOURISH) Trial (PHASE4)
- Catheter Ablation Versus Anti-arrhythmic Drugs for Premature Ventricular Complexes (NA)
- Erector Spinae Plane Block vs Local Infiltration Following Fusion Surgery (PHASE2)
- Patient Satisfaction and Postoperative Pain After Diagnostic Hysteroscopy: Spinal Versus General Anesthesia (NA)
- To Compare Post-op Analgesic Effectiveness of Ropivicaine+Dexamethasone and Ropivacane+Dexmetomidine in TAP Block in Stoma Reversal Under GA in Terms of Duration of Analgesia. (PHASE2, PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
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