What is thiopental sodium
Among the hot topics across the network in the past 10 days, a focus in the medical and health field is on the discussion of the anesthetic drug thiopental. This article will introduce in detail the definition, use, side effects and related hot data of sodium thiopental to help readers understand this drug comprehensively.
1. Definition and history of sodium thiopental

Thiopental Sodium is an ultra-short-acting barbiturate intravenous anesthetic, first discovered by American scientists in 1934 and applied to clinical practice. Because of its rapid onset and short-term effects, it is widely used in the induction of general anesthesia and short-term surgery.
| property | describe |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | 5-ethyl-5-(1-methylbutyl)-2-thiobarbiturate sodium |
| Molecular formula | C11H17N2NaO2S |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Solubility | Easy to soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol |
2. The main uses of sodium thiopental
The clinical application of thiopental sodium mainly includes the following aspects:
| Use classification | Specific application |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia induction | Rapidly induce general anesthesia |
| Short-term surgery | For short surgery within 15 minutes |
| Status of epilepsy | Control refractory epilepsy seizures |
| Brain protection | Reduce brain metabolic rate, used in brain surgery |
3. Side effects and contraindications of sodium thiopental
Although thiopental sodium has significant anesthesia effects, its use also has certain risks and requires strict grasp of indications and contraindications.
| Types of side effects | Specific performance |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular system | Blood pressure drops, heart rate slows down |
| Respiratory system | Respiratory depression, apnea |
| Allergic reactions | Rash, bronchospasm |
| other | Pain at the injection site, pharyitis |
Contraindications of thiopental sodium include: porphyria, severe liver insufficiency, severe cardiovascular disease, hypovolemia shock, etc.
4. Recent hot discussions about sodium thiopental
According to the network data analysis in the past 10 days, the main discussions about sodium thiopental are focused on the following directions:
| Discuss topic | Popularity index | Main points |
|---|---|---|
| A shortage of anesthetic drugs | 85 | Tight supply of narcotics such as thiopental sodium is reported in many places around the world |
| Alternative drug research | 72 | Market share growth of new anesthetics such as propofol |
| Controversy about the use of drug for the death penalty | 68 | Some countries still use sodium thiopental as a death sentence injection |
| New discoveries on clinical applications | 55 | Research shows that sodium thiopental may have protective effects on certain brain damage |
5. Comparison of sodium thiopental with other anesthetics
In clinical applications, sodium thiopental is often compared with other anesthetic drugs:
| Comparison projects | Sodium thiopental | Propofol | Midazolam |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective time | 30-45 seconds | 30-60 seconds | 2-5 minutes |
| Duration of action | 5-10 minutes | 4-8 minutes | 15-30 minutes |
| Cardiovascular effects | obvious | medium | slight |
| Respiratory depression | powerful | medium | weak |
6. Precautions for using sodium thiopental
When using sodium thiopental, medical staff should pay attention to the following key points:
1) Must be used by an experienced anesthesiologist
2) Prepare tracheal intubation and respiratory support equipment before use
3) Closely monitor vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation
4) The elderly and frail patients need to use it less
5) Pay attention to drug interactions, especially with other central nervous system inhibitors
7. Market status of sodium thiopental
According to the latest market research data:
| area | market share | Price Trends | Major suppliers |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 35% | Stablize | Hospira, Baxter |
| Europe | 28% | A small increase | Fresenius Kabi |
| Asia | 25% | fluctuation | Hengrui Medicine, Renfu Medicine |
| Other regions | 12% | Significant rise | Local suppliers |
To sum up, thiopental sodium, as a classic intravenous anesthetic, still occupies an important position in the field of clinical anesthesia. With the development of medical technology and the emergence of new drugs, the scope and methods of use are also constantly being adjusted. Understanding the characteristics, indications and risks of this drug is of great significance to both medical practitioners and patients.
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