Drug/Small Molecule:
thiopental

2D structure

Overview

Generic Names: Penthiobarbital; Pentothal; Pentothiobarbital; Thiomebumal; Thionembutal; Thiopentobarbital; Thiopentobarbitone; Thiopentobarbituric acid; Thiopentone; Tiopentale [Italian]
Trade Names: Farmotal; Intraval; Nesdonal; Thiothal; Trapanal
Brand Mixtures: Thiotal 5g (Thiopental Sodium + Water)
PharmGKB Accession Id: PA451664

Description

A barbiturate that is administered intravenously for the induction of general anesthesia or for the production of complete anesthesia of short duration. It is also used for hypnosis and for the control of convulsive states. It has been used in neurosurgical patients to reduce increased intracranial pressure. It does not produce any excitation but has poor analgesic and muscle relaxant properties. Small doses have been shown to be anti-analgesic and lower the pain threshold. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p920) (source: Drug Bank)

Indication

For use as the sole anesthetic agent for brief (15 minute) procedures, for induction of anesthesia prior to administration of other anesthetic agents, to supplement regional anesthesia, to provide hypnosis during balanced anesthesia with other agents for analgesia or muscle relaxation, for the control of convulsive states during or following inhalation anesthesia or local anesthesia, in neurosurgical patients with increased intracranial pressure, and for narcoanalysis and narcosynthesis in psychiatric disorders. (source: Drug Bank)

ATC Therapeutic Categories

  • N01AF:Barbiturates, plain
  • N05CA:Barbiturates, plain

Pharmacology, Interactions, and Contraindications

Mechanism Of Action

Thiopental binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl<sup>-</sup> ionopore at the GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl<sup>-</sup> ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged. (source: Drug Bank)

Pharmacology

Thiopental, a barbiturate, is used for the induction of anesthesia prior to the use of other general anesthetic agents and for induction of anesthesia for short surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures associated with minimal painful stimuli. Thiopental is an ultrashort-acting depressant of the central nervous system which induces hypnosis and anesthesia, but not analgesia. It produces hypnosis within 30 to 40 seconds of intravenous injection. Recovery after a small dose is rapid, with some somnolence and retrograde amnesia. Repeated intravenous doses lead to prolonged anesthesia because fatty tissues act as a reservoir; they accumulate Pentothal in concentrations 6 to 12 times greater than the plasma concentration, and then release the drug slowly to cause prolonged anesthesia (source: Drug Bank)

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination & Toxicity

Biotransformation

Primarily hepatic. Biotransformation products of thiopental are pharmacologically inactive and mostly excreted in the urine. (source: Drug Bank)

Protein Binding

Approximately 80% of the drug in the blood is bound to plasma protein. (source: Drug Bank)

Absorption

Rapidly absorbed. (source: Drug Bank)

Toxicity

Overdosage may occur from too rapid or repeated injections. Too rapid injection may be followed by an alarming fall in blood pressure even to shock levels. Apnea, occasional laryngospasm, coughing and other respiratory difficulties with excessive or too rapid injections may occur. Lethal blood levels may be as low as 1 mg/100 mL for short-acting barbiturates; less if other depressant drugs or alcohol are also present. (source: Drug Bank)

Isomeric SMILES Code:

CCC[C@H](C)C1(C(=O)NC(=S)NC1=O)CC (source: Drug Bank)

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other genes is available.

Drug Targets

Gene Description
FAAH Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
GABRA1 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other drugs is available.

Drug Interactions

Drug Description
acenocoumarol Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may increase the metabolism of the Vitamin K antagonist, Acenocoumarol. Acenocoumarol dose adjustment may be required. (source: Drug Bank)
amlodipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Amlodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Amlodipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
chloramphenicol Uncurated Annotation Chloramphenicol may increase the serum concentration of Thiopental by decreasing Thiopental metabolism. Thiopental may decrease the serum concentration of Chloramphenicol by increasing Chloramphenicol metabolism. Monitor for changes in therapeutic effects of both agents if concomitant therapy is initiated, discontinued or doses are adjusted. (source: Drug Bank)
cyclosporine Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may increase the metabolism and clearance of Cyclosporine. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Cyclosporine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
desogestrel Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Desogestrel. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
diltiazem Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Diltiazem, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Diltiazem if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
disopyramide Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may increase the metabolism and clearance of Disopyramide. Monitor for changes in therapeutic/adverse effects of Disopyramide if Thiopental is inititaed, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
doxycycline Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the serum levels of Doxycycline. A reduction in antimicrobial effects may occur. An alternative antibiotic may be considered. (source: Drug Bank)
drospirenone Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Drospirenone. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
estradiol Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Ethinyl estradiol. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
ethynodiol diacetate Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Ethynodiol diacetate. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
etonogestrel Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Etonogestrel. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
felodipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Felodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Felodipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
isradipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Isradipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Isradipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
lamotrigine Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may increase the metabolism and clearance of Lamotrigine. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effect of Lamotrigine if Thiopental is initiated. (source: Drug Bank)
levonorgestrel Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Levonorgestrel. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
medroxyprogesterone Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Medroxyprogesterone. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
mestranol Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Mestranol. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
methadone Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Methadone by increasing Methadone metabolism. Methadone withdrawal may occur. (source: Drug Bank)
nicardipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Nicardipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Nicardipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
nifedipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Nifedipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Nifedipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
nimodipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Nimodipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Nimodipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
nisoldipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Nisoldipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Nisoldipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
nitrendipine Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Nitrendipine, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Nitrendipine if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
norethindrone Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Norethindrone. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
norgestimate Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Norgestimate. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
norgestrel Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may decrease the effect of Norgestrel. Contraceptive failure may occur. Alternative nonhomomonal contraception should be used during concomitant therapy. (source: Drug Bank)
propafenone Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may increase the metabolism and clearance of Propafenone. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effect of Propafenone if Thiopental is initiated. (source: Drug Bank)
quinidine Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may increase the metabolism and clearance of Quinidine. Monitor for decreased therapeutic effect of Quinidine if Thiopental is initiated. (source: Drug Bank)
verapamil Uncurated Annotation The CYP3A4 inducer, Thiopental, may increase the metabolism and clearance of Verapamil, a CYP3A4 substrate. Monitor for changes in the therapeutic/adverse effects of Verapamil if Thiopental is initiated, discontinued or dose changed. (source: Drug Bank)
warfarin Uncurated Annotation Thiopental may increase the metabolism of the Vitamin K antagonist, Warfarin. Warfarin dose adjustment may be required. (source: Drug Bank)

Non-Curated Information

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other diseases is available.

Additional Datasets

These datasets are minimally curated and are sorted alphabetically by title.

  1. Physicochemical determinants of human renal clearance

LinkOuts

Web Resource:
Wikipedia
DrugBank:
DB00599
ChEBI ID:
30490
KEGG Compound ID:
C07521
PubChem Compound ID:
3000715
PubChem Substance ID:
9724
IUPHAR Ligand ID:
2579

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Non-Curated Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug is available.

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