Is sodium thiopental really an alternative to N?

[Unknown21]

I just heard about it recently and i was wondering if this true or not.

 

[Ernest1964]

In a word... No. Thiopental when given to an animal requires TWO shots. One to calm and sedate the animal and the second to make the animal CTB. Not very useful for the purposes of self administered CTB.

 

[Sunset Limited]

In a word... No. Thiopental when given to an animal requires TWO shots. One to calm and sedate the animal and the second to make the animal CTB. Not very useful for the purposes of self administered CTB.

This is not quite true. Thiopental is fatal in very high doses IV. It was used as a single agent in executions in America. Until propofol replaced thiopental in anesthesia induction. Thiopental is no longer available in America. European manufacturers did not approve its use in executions.

5-6 grams of thiopental will cause sudden apnea, especially if injected quickly. More than enough to maintain apnea until 0% desaturation and death. Not only that, it is a very strong negative inotropic, just like amide local anesthetics. Presumably a fast bolus of this dose would cause cardiovascular collapse. The reason why it is used as a sedative before lidocaine in animal euthanasia is that lidocaine makes the process faster.

 

[Ernest1964]

This is not quite true. Thiopental is fatal in very high doses IV. It was used as a single agent in executions in America. Until propofol replaced thiopental in anesthesia induction. Thiopental is no longer available in America. European manufacturers did not approve its use in executions.

5-6 grams of thiopental will cause sudden apnea, especially if injected quickly. More than enough to maintain apnea until 0% desaturation and death. Not only that, it is a very strong negative inotropic, just like amide local anesthetics. Presumably a fast bolus of this dose would cause cardiovascular collapse. The reason why it is used as a sedative before lidocaine in animal euthanasia is that lidocaine makes the process faster.

Thank you for the excellent information.