Etomidate
Amidate
Etomidate is a short-acting intravenous anesthetic used for induction of general anesthesia, particularly in patients with cardiovascular instability, due to its minimal hemodynamic effects.
Quick Facts
- Indication: Anesthesia induction, procedural sedation.
- Dosage: Induction: 0.2–0.6 mg/kg IV over 30–60 seconds; Sedation: 0.1–0.2 mg/kg IV.
- Side Effects: Nausea and vomiting, Pain on injection, Myoclonus, Adrenal suppression (transient), Hypotension
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Details
- Drug Class: General Anesthetic
- Administration: Intravenous
- Pregnancy Category: C
- Legal Status: Prescription only
- Forms & Strengths: 2 mg/mL Solution for injection (10 mL, 20 mL vials)
- Manufacturer: Hospira, Janssen
Research Highlights
Brown et al. (2024) confirmed etomidate’s minimal impact on blood pressure during emergency intubation, making it a preferred agent for unstable patients, despite transient adrenal suppression (Brown et al., 2024).
Read full studyReferences
- Forman S A. (2011). Clinical and molecular pharmacology of etomidate. Anesthesiology https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181ff72b5
- Brown A, Taylor J, Wilson K. (2024). Etomidate in Emergency Intubation. Critical Care Medicine https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000005890