Methohexital Sodium (2 brand names, 1 dosage form, 1 route)
Available dosage forms: INJECTABLE.
Routes of administration: INJECTION.
Brand Names
- BREVITAL SODIUM
- METHOHEXITAL SODIUM
Related Health Topics
Boxed Warning
BREVITAL should be used only in hospital or ambulatory care settings that provide for continuous monitoring of respiratory (e.g. pulse oximetry) and cardiac function. Immediate availability of resuscitative drugs and age- and size-appropriate equipment for bag/valve/mask ventilation and intubation and personnel trained in their use and skilled in airway management should be assured. For deeply sedated patients, a designated individual other than the practitioner performing the procedure should be present to continuously monitor the patient. (See WARNINGS.)
Indications and Usage
BREVITAL can be used in adults as follows: 1. For intravenous induction of anesthesia prior to the use of other general anesthetic agents. 2. For intravenous induction of anesthesia and as an adjunct to subpotent inhalational anesthetic agents (such as nitrous oxide in oxygen) for short surgical procedures; BREVITAL may be given by infusion or intermittent injection. 3. For use along with other parenteral agents, usually narcotic analgesics, to supplement subpotent inhalational anesthetic agents (such as nitrous oxide in oxygen) for longer surgical procedures. 4. As intravenous anesthesia for short surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures associated with minimal painful stimuli (see WARNINGS ). 5. As an agent for inducing a hypnotic state. BREVITAL can be used in pediatric patients older than 1 month as follows: 1. For rectal or intramuscular induction of anesthesia prior to the use of other general anesthetic agents. 2. For rectal or intramuscular induction of anesthesia and as an adjunct to subpotent inhalational anesthetic agents for short surgical procedures. 3. As rectal or intramuscular anesthesia for short surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures associated with minimal painful stimuli.
Dosage and Administration
Facilities for assisting ventilation and administering oxygen are necessary adjuncts for all routes of administration of anesthesia. Since cardiorespiratory arrest may occur, patients should be observed carefully during and after use of BREVITAL. Age- and size- appropriate resuscitative equipment (i.e., intubation and cardioversion equipment, oxygen, suction, and a secure intravenous line) and personnel qualified in its use must be immediately available. Preanesthetic medication is generally advisable. BREVITAL may be used with any of the recognized preanesthetic medications.
Contraindications
BREVITAL is contraindicated in patients in whom general anesthesia is contraindicated, in those with latent or manifest porphyria, or in patients with a known hypersensitivity to barbiturates.
Adverse Reactions
Side effects associated with BREVITAL are extensions of pharmacologic effects and include: Cardiovascular Circulatory depression, thrombophlebitis, hypotension, tachycardia, peripheral vascular collapse, and convulsions in association with cardiorespiratory arrest Respiratory Respiratory depression (including apnea), cardiorespiratory arrest, laryngospasm, bronchospasm, hiccups, and dyspnea Neurologic Skeletal muscle hyperactivity (twitching), injury to nerves adjacent to injection site, and seizures Psychiatric Emergence delirium, restlessness, and anxiety may occur, especially in the presence of postoperative pain Gastrointestinal Nausea, emesis, abdominal pain, and liver function tests abnormal Allergic Erythema, pruritus, urticaria, and cases of anaphylaxis have been reported rarely Other Other adverse reactions include pain at injection site, salivation, headache, and rhinitis For medical advice about adverse reactions contact your medical professional. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Par Health at 1-800-828-9393 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or www.fda.gov/medwatch/.
Drug Interactions
Prior chronic administration of barbiturates or phenytoin (e.g. for seizure disorder) appears to reduce the effectiveness of BREVITAL. Barbiturates may influence the metabolism of other concomitantly used drugs, such as phenytoin, halothane, anticoagulants, corticosteroids, ethyl alcohol, and propylene glycol-containing solutions.