anaesthetic

George Bernard Shaw wrote that "alcohol is the anaesthetic by which we endure the operation of life."

Anesthetics

Brand/Generic Drug Names

droperidol, fentanyl, ketamine, midazolam, thiopental, propofol, lidocaine, procaine, tetracaine, ropivacaine

General: premedicate for surgery, induce and maintain general anesthesia
Local: local anesthesia for procedures

General: acts on central nervous system to produce tranquilization and sleep before procedures
Local: inhibits conduction of nerve impulses from sensory nerves

cerebrovascular accident, increased intracranial pressure, severe hypertension, cardiac decompensation

General: elderly, cerebrovascular disease, renal disease, liver disease, Parkinson's disease, children under 2 yrs Local: pregnancy

MAOIs, phenothiazines, tricyclics may cause severe hyper/hypotension in combination with local anesthetics
Central nervous system depressants potentiate anesthetics

dystonia, akathisia, flexion of arms, fine tremors, drowsiness, restlessness, hypotension, chills, respiratory depression, laryngospasm

Assess vital signs every 10 min during intravenous administration, every 30 min after intramuscular injection
Administer anticholinergic preoperatively to decrease secretions
Ensure resuscitation equipment is readily available
Provide quiet recovery environment to decrease psychotic symptoms
Evaluate therapeutic response: anesthesia, decreased pain

August 06, 2002

An`aes*thet"ic (#), a. Med. (a)

Capable of rendering insensible; as, anaesthetic agents.

Characterized by, or connected with, insensibility; as, an anaesthetic effect or operation.

© Webster 1913.

An`aes*thet"ic, n. Med.

That which produces insensibility to pain, as chloroform, ether, etc.

© Webster 1913.