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Etomidate

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Etomidate is an intravenous anaesthetic agent used primarily for induction. It is a carboxylated imidazole derivative. Its advantages include:

  • rapid recovery without "hangover" effect
  • cardiovascularly stable:
    • suitable for elderly patients
    • little cardiovascular depression in shocked patients
  • little histamine release

Disadvantages include:

  • high rate of emesis
  • injection can cause pain
  • increased muscular activity and myotonia following injection
  • repeated doses can suppress adrenal function

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