Common Drugs Summary

Induction Agents

Name	Class	Induction	Side Effects (Summary)	Comments
Thiopentone	Barbiturate	3 – 6mg/kg IV	Hypotension	Suitable for many patents.
Ketamine	Phencyclidine	1-2mg/kg IV	Hypertension, tachycardia	Dissociative state, emergence delirium. Causes bronchodilation (good for asthmatics). Increases IOP, ICP.
Etomidate	Imidazole	0.2-0.5mg/kg IV	Myoclonus, Adrenal Suppression	Burns on injection. It is cardiovascular stable.
Propofol	Phenol	1-2.5mg/kg IV	Hypotension	Burns on injection, bronchodilator.
Midazolam	Benzodiazepine	0.1-0.4mg/kg IV	Hypotension, Ventilatory depression	Relatively cardiovascular stable, potent amnesia.

Muscle Relaxants

Name	Class	Dose	Duration	Side Effects(Summary)
Suxamethonium	Depolarising MR	1-1.5mg/kg	5-10mins
Rocuronium	Non-Depolarising MR	0.45-0.9mg/kg But 1,2mg/kg for RSI	>30mins
Atracurium	Non-Depolarising MR	0.5mg/kg	20-30mins

Reversal Agents

The Non-Depolarising MR needs a reversal agent. This agent is called Neostigimine, given as 0.04mg/kg IV stat. However, it has side effects. To counter these side effects we either give Atropine 0.02mg/kg IV stat or Glycopyrrolate 0.01mg/kg IV stat. You may memorize this as NAG 4:2:1.

Analgesia

Name	Class	Dose	Side Effects(Summary)
Morphine	Opiod	0.1mg/kg IV/IM
Pethidine	Opiod	0.5-1mg/kg IM or 0.2-0.5mg/kg IV
Fentanyl	Opiod	1mcg/kg (lasts 20min) IV
Valoron	Opiod	1mg/kg 6 hourly PO. Each drop has 2.5mg.
Paracetamol		15mg/kg PO. IV formulation know as Perfalgan. 1g = 10mg Morphine.

This article is to be continued with other drugs.

References

1. Hayward, C., Jackson, C., Thoresson, M. and Ellis, J., n.d. EAST LONDON HOSPITAL COMPLEX: ANAESTHETICS HANDBOOK. 2nd ed. pp.18 – 20.