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pentothal sodium
Pentothal sodium is a barbiturate that enhances inhibitory neurotransmission by potentiating GABA receptors in the central nervous system, leading to sedation, anesthesia, and anticonvulsant effects.
Pentothal sodium is a barbiturate that enhances inhibitory neurotransmission by potentiating GABA receptors in the central nervous system, leading to sedation, anesthesia, and anticonvulsant effects. Used for Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, Seizure management and status epilepticus, Sedation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
At a glance
| Generic name | pentothal sodium |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Ajou University School of Medicine |
| Drug class | Barbiturate |
| Target | GABA-A receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia, Neurology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Pentothal sodium (thiopental) binds to and allosterically modulates GABA-A receptors, increasing chloride ion influx and neuronal hyperpolarization. This results in depression of the central nervous system with dose-dependent effects ranging from sedation to general anesthesia. The drug also has anticonvulsant properties due to its ability to raise seizure threshold.
Approved indications
- Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
- Seizure management and status epilepticus
- Sedation for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
Common side effects
- Respiratory depression
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
- Laryngospasm
- Thrombophlebitis at injection site
- Emergence delirium
Key clinical trials
- Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Postoperative Cognitive Disfunction at Laparoscopic Surgery
- Tracheal Colonization and Outcome After Major Abdominal Cancer Surgery (NA)
- Does Anesthetic Technique Affect Pneumatic Tourniquet Pressures in Upper Limb Fracture Surgery? (NA)
- Effects of Total Intravenous Anesthesia With Propofol-remifentanil Versus Inhalational Anesthesia With Sevoflurane on Quality of Recovery in Patients Undergoing Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Tumor (NA)
- The Effects of Anesthetic Techniques and Palonosetron Administration on the Incidence of PONV (PHASE4)
- A Comparison of Propofol Based Total Intravenous Anesthesia and Desflurane Based Balanced Anesthesia on Hepatic Protection During Living-donor Liver Transplantation (PHASE4)
- IOP Changes With Different Anesthetic Agents During Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery (NA)
- Segmental Epidural Anesthesia (SEA) V/S General Anesthesia for PCNL (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:
- pentothal sodium CI brief — competitive landscape report
- pentothal sodium updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Ajou University School of Medicine portfolio CI