Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: PENTOTHAL versus SURITAL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: PENTOTHAL versus SURITAL.
PENTOTHAL vs SURITAL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Potentiates GABA-A receptor activity, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission; also reduces excitatory glutamate signaling.
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: 3-5 mg/kg IV; Maintenance: 25-75 mg IV as needed; Rectal: 25 mg/kg (max 1.5 g) for induction.
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 5-12 hours (mean 8 hours) in adults. Prolonged with hepatic impairment, obesity, or high doses due to saturation of redistribution and metabolism.
Terminal elimination half-life 2-8 hours (mean 4.5 h) in adults; prolonged in hepatic impairment.
Hepatic metabolism (approx. 80%), renal excretion of metabolites (20-30%) and unchanged drug (0.3-1%). Biliary/fecal elimination is negligible.
Primarily renal excretion of metabolites; <1% unchanged. Minor biliary/fecal elimination.
Category C
Category C
Barbiturate Anesthetic
Barbiturate Anesthetic