Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
IV Induction Agent (Barbiturate)

Thiopental Sodium

Brand names: Intraval Sodium

Thiopental sodium is an ultra-short-acting barbiturate given intravenously for rapid induction of general anaesthesia, including rapid-sequence induction, and for control of refractory status epilepticus and raised intracranial pressure.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It potentiates GABA-A receptor activity, enhancing inhibitory chloride currents to produce rapid, dose-dependent central nervous system depression and loss of consciousness.

Prescribing in practice

  • It is a profound respiratory and cardiovascular depressant that must be given only by those skilled in airway management with full resuscitation equipment immediately to hand, as apnoea and hypotension are expected.
  • Accidental intra-arterial or extravascular injection causes severe pain, vasospasm and tissue necrosis and is a medical emergency, so confirm secure intravenous access before use.
  • It is absolutely contraindicated in porphyria and used with great caution in hypovolaemia, severe cardiac disease, fixed cardiac output and reactive airways.

Monitoring

Monitor airway, ventilation, oxygenation, blood pressure and conscious level continuously throughout induction and recovery.

Counselling the patient

  • You will lose consciousness within seconds of the injection.
  • Drowsiness and impaired judgement persist afterwards, so do not drive or make important decisions for the rest of the day.

Evidence & guidelines

Thiopental is a long-established induction agent with a well-characterised pharmacological profile reflected in the SPC and UK anaesthetic practice.

Reference: AAGBI; Intraval Sodium SPC; BMA/RPS; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Pathways