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Common General Anesthetics

General anesthetics are used to put patients into non-waking states during invasive procedures. Local anesthetics are used to numb a specific area of the body without disturbing the patient's consciousness. Both procedures are used regularly in hospitals and prescribed to patients for a variety of conditions. The term that medical staffs use for putting a patient to sleep before a surgery is "under anesthesia" because the patient is under the effect of a general anesthetic.

  1. Diprivan

    • Diprivan is a general anesthetic used to induce anesthesia before surgery or invasive medical procedures. A doctor may also prescribe Diprivan to treat other conditions as necessary. According to Drugs.com, it is unclear exactly how Diprivan works. The generic name for this drug is Propofol and it is taken through injections. Sedation and hypnosis is induced within 40 seconds of intravenous injection according to Drugs.com. Diprivan should not be used by patients who are allergic to eggs or soy products. It has been known to interact with Benzodiazepines like narcotic pain relievers and sedatives.

    Pentathol

    • Pentathol is used as a general anesthetic for procedures lasting no more than 15 minutes or as a pre-anesthetic before another drug is introduced. This drug induces hypnosis, sedation, relaxes muscles and is used to control convulsions. There is no fixed dosage of pentathol. This drug is administered intravenously and the amount should be determined based on age, weight and sex of the patient. Some premedication may be administered before pentathol to suppress reflexes and test tolerance levels.

    Forane

    • This is a general anesthetic that is inhaled rather than injected. Isoflurane is a colorless, odorless liquid that produces a vapor which causes loss of consciousness. The effects of this drug are quick according to Drugs.com, as well as the recovery. Respiration must be closely monitored when patients are under the effects of Forane because it is a respiratory depressant. Forane produces levels of anesthesia deep enough to perform intra-abdominal surgery and full muscle paralysis can be obtained through the addition of a muscle relaxant.

    Lusedra

    • This is an intravenous sedative and hypnotic agent used as an anesthetic. This is a pro-drug of Propofol known as Fospropofol Disodium. Unlike Propofol, Lusedra cannot be prescribed. This drug should only be administered by trained medical professionals in a monitored environment. This is used when patients do not need to be under full anesthesia but instead it produces a waking hypnotic state. Side effects of this drug can include apnea, hypotension and hypoxemia and patients under the influence of this drug should be monitored for symptoms of side effects at all times. According to Drugs.com, patients receiving Lusedra should also be receiving supplemental oxygen.

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