Etomidate side effects

Propanidid. Propanidid [1421-14-3] (Epontol), C gH2yNO, (7) a derivative of the propyl ester of homo vanillic acid, has been in clinical use in Europe for a number of years. Its main advantage is rapid onset of action and a fast recovery which, like etomidate, is because of rapid metaboHsm by esterases rather than redistribution (108). Excretion is rapid 75 to 90% of the dmg is eliminated as metaboUtes within two hours. Propanidid side effects include hypotension, tachycardia, and hyperventilation followed by apnea, as well as excitatory side effects such as tremor and involuntary muscle movement (109). 

Finally, newer intravenous anesthetics such as etomidate (Amidate) and propofol (Diprivan) are available. Etomidate is a hypnoticlike drug that causes a rapid onset of general anesthesia with a minimum of cardiopulmonary side effects. Flence, this drug may be useful in patients with compromised cardiovascular or respiratory function. Propofol is a short-acting hypnotic that is useful as a general anesthetic in some... 

A retrospective case review examined cases of ECT between 2005 and 2007 under general anaesthetic with either etomidate (n=47) or methohexital (n = 21) [27 j. They discovered that they were equally effective with regard to seizure duration and time to peak power. Seizure duration decreased over time (between 1st and 13th treatment) in the methohexital group. Total side-effect incidence was 16% and 5.2% in the methohexital and etomidate groups respectively, with 0.62 versus 0.57 events per patient respectively (p = 0.02). Reported side effects were cognitive deficits, post-ictal restlessness and confusion. 

The most important side effects of etomi-date are involuntary muscle movements and pain at the site of injection (57 -, 58 ). Although one patient with a skin rash (without other symptoms of allergy) after the use of etomidate is described the statement that etomidate causes no allergic reactions still probably holds true, since no skin tests were performed and many other drugs were given. The cardiovascular stability after its use is remarkable (55, 57, 58 ). 

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