The American Society of Anesthesiologists says it is "extremely troubled" to learn that the anesthetic sodium thiopental, or Pentothal, has been removed from the U.S. market after its sole manufacturer ceased production of the drug, according to an ASA release.
According to the ASA, sodium thiopental is an "important and medically necessary anesthetic agent that has been used for years to induce anesthesia in patients undergoing surgical procedures." While the drug's use has dropped in recent years with the introduction of propofol and other medications, sodium thiopental is still extremely valuable, especially in cases involving geriatric, neurologic, cardiovascular and obstetric patients.
Read the ASA release on sodium thiopental.
Read more on anesthesia:
-ASA Clarifies Medically-Induced Coma Versus Sedation
-Facility Use of Blood Glucose Monitors Leads to Treatment Errors, Anesthesiologist Warns
-Study: Improved Ultrasound Imaging of Injected Anesthetics on the Horizon
According to the ASA, sodium thiopental is an "important and medically necessary anesthetic agent that has been used for years to induce anesthesia in patients undergoing surgical procedures." While the drug's use has dropped in recent years with the introduction of propofol and other medications, sodium thiopental is still extremely valuable, especially in cases involving geriatric, neurologic, cardiovascular and obstetric patients.
Read the ASA release on sodium thiopental.
Read more on anesthesia:
-ASA Clarifies Medically-Induced Coma Versus Sedation
-Facility Use of Blood Glucose Monitors Leads to Treatment Errors, Anesthesiologist Warns
-Study: Improved Ultrasound Imaging of Injected Anesthetics on the Horizon