Etomidate
[1 vial $4.09]
ADMINISTRATION ROUTES:
- IV
ALTERNATIVE NAMES:
Etomidate
ICU INDICATIONS:
- induction of anaesthesia (particularly in the hypotensive patient)
PRESENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION:
- IV:
20mg in 10ml ampoules Inject undiluted by slow IV injection
Store at room temperature
DOSAGE:
- IV:
0.3mg/kg slow IV
DOSAGE IN RENAL FAILURE AND RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPY:
- Dose as in normal renal function
DOSAGE IN PAEDIATRICS:
- IV:
0.3mg/kg slow IV
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:
- Etomidate is a hypnotic drug without analgesic activity. Intravenous injection of etomidate produces hypnosis characterized by a rapid onset of action, usually within 1 minute. Duration of hypnosis is dose dependent but relatively brief, usually 3-5 minutes when an average dose of 0.3 mg/kg is employed. Reduced cortisol plasma levels have been reported with induction doses of 0.3 mg/kg etomidate. These persist for approximately 6-8 hours and appear to be unresponsive to ACTH
CONTRAINDICATIONS
1. hypersensitivity to etomidate
WARNINGS
- BECAUSE OF THE HAZARDS OF PROLONGED SUPPRESSION OF ENDOGENOUS CORTISOL AND ALDOSTERONE PRODUCTION, THIS FORMULATION IS NOT INTENDED FOR ADMINISTRATION BY PROLONGED INFUSION.
PRECAUTIONS
- General:
See WARNINGS - Laboratory Tests:
No tests additional to routine ICU tests are required - Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions:
None of note
IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS FOR THE ICU
- None of note
ADVERSE REACTIONS
- Body as a Whole:
Anaphylaxis, adrenal suppression - Central Nervous System:
myoclonus - Cardiovascular System:
Hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia, bradycardia and other arrhythmias have occasionally been observed during induction and maintenance of anaesthesia - Respiratory System:
Hyperventilation, hypoventilation, apnea of short duration (5-90 seconds with spontaneous recovery), laryngospasm, hiccup and snoring suggestive of partial upper airway obstruction have been observed in some patients. - Gastrointestinal System:
Nausea and vomiting - Local:
Pain on injection
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