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Intravenous anesthetic
Intravenous anesthetics work by enhancing inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission and/or blocking excitatory glutamatergic signaling in the central nervous system to produce rapid unconsciousness.
Intravenous anesthetics work by enhancing inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission and/or blocking excitatory glutamatergic signaling in the central nervous system to produce rapid unconsciousness. Used for Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, Sedation in intensive care units.
At a glance
| Generic name | Intravenous anesthetic |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania |
| Drug class | GABA-A receptor agonist / NMDA receptor antagonist (class-dependent) |
| Target | GABA-A receptor or NMDA receptor (varies by specific agent) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesiology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Most IV anesthetics (such as propofol, etomidate, and thiopental) are positive allosteric modulators of GABA-A receptors, increasing chloride influx and neuronal hyperpolarization. Some agents like ketamine act as non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists. These mechanisms collectively suppress cortical activity and consciousness within seconds of administration.
Approved indications
- Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
- Sedation in intensive care units
Common side effects
- Hypotension
- Respiratory depression
- Bradycardia
- Injection site pain
- Apnea
Key clinical trials
- Comparison of Two Intravenous Drug Combinations for Ambulatory Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (PHASE1)
- Comparison of Target-Controlled and Manual Total Intravenous Anesthesia in Supratentorial Surgery (NA)
- Effect of Titrated Administration of Ciprofol on Perioperative Hypotension in Elderly Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial (NA)
- Anhedonia, Development, and Emotions: Phenotyping and Therapeutics (PHASE4)
- Perineural vs Intravenous Dexamethasone as an Adjuvant to Brachial Plexus Block in Pediatric Hand Surgery (NA)
- Post-Hoc Cost-Utility Analysis of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Block Versus Total Intravenous Anesthesia (TIVA) in Posterior Scoliosis Correction Surgery: Evidence From the Egyptian EQ-5D-5L Value Set
- The Effect of Intravenous Versus Volatile Anesthesia on Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients (NA)
- Dexmedetomidine for Improving Emergence Quality in Thyroid Surgery (PHASE4)
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 |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Intravenous anesthetic CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Intravenous anesthetic updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Pennsylvania portfolio CI