Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: METHOHEXITAL SODIUM versus SURITAL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: METHOHEXITAL SODIUM versus SURITAL.
METHOHEXITAL SODIUM vs SURITAL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Methohexital sodium is a barbiturate that acts as a GABA-A receptor agonist, enhancing chloride conductance and causing neuronal hyperpolarization. It produces rapid sedation and anesthesia by depressing the central nervous system.
SURITAL (thiamylal) is an ultra-short-acting barbiturate that enhances GABA-A receptor activity, increasing chloride ion conductance and neuronal hyperpolarization, resulting in rapid induction of anesthesia.
Induction of anesthesia: 1-1.5 mg/kg IV bolus over 15-30 seconds. Maintenance: intermittent IV boluses of 20-40 mg every 4-7 minutes as needed.
Induction: 3-5 mg/kg IV bolus over 10-15 seconds. Maintenance: 0.5-1.5 mg/kg IV as needed for anesthesia. Also used as 0.2-0.4% solution for IV infusion at 0.5-2 mg/min.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 1.6–4.8 hours (mean ~3.9 hours) in adults. Context: Rapid redistribution shortens clinical duration; elimination half-life is longer in elderly and hepatic impairment.
Terminal elimination half-life 2-8 hours (mean 4.5 h) in adults; prolonged in hepatic impairment.
Renal: <1% unchanged; hepatic metabolism followed by renal excretion of metabolites accounts for >95% of elimination. Fecal: negligible (<1%).
Primarily renal excretion of metabolites; <1% unchanged. Minor biliary/fecal elimination.
Category C
Category C
Barbiturate Anesthetic
Barbiturate Anesthetic