Abstract
The desulfuration of thiopental to pentobarbital has previously been shown to be a relatively minor pathway of thiopental metabolism. In two cases, we observed significant conversion, resulting in blood pentobarbital concentrations up to 50 percent of total blood barbiturate (thiopental and pentobarbital) concentrations. Both patients received continuous infusions of thiopental and had present a condition (hypothermia) or drug (cimetidine) known to inhibit hepatic microsomal enzyme activity. It is suggested that inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity may prevent thiopental's metabolism to its major metabolite, a carboxylic acid analogue, and increase the amount of thiopental desulfurated to pentobarbital. Inhibition of hepatic microsomal metabolism also decreases the metabolism of pentobarbital. Until further elucidation of the causes of altered thiopental metabolism is available to identify patients more likely to have elevated concentrations of pentobarbital, monitoring of blood drug concentrations in patients receiving thiopental should include determination of both thiopental and pentobarbital concentrations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 283-287 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Drug Intelligence and Clinical Pharmacy |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 1986 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pharmacology (medical)
- Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics(all)
Cite this
Blood pentobarbital concentrations during thiopental therapy. / Watson, W. A.; Godley, P. J.; Garriott, J. C.; Bradberry, J. Chris; Puckett, J. D.
In: Drug Intelligence and Clinical Pharmacy, Vol. 20, No. 4, 1986, p. 283-287.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Blood pentobarbital concentrations during thiopental therapy
AU - Watson, W. A.
AU - Godley, P. J.
AU - Garriott, J. C.
AU - Bradberry, J. Chris
AU - Puckett, J. D.
PY - 1986
Y1 - 1986
N2 - The desulfuration of thiopental to pentobarbital has previously been shown to be a relatively minor pathway of thiopental metabolism. In two cases, we observed significant conversion, resulting in blood pentobarbital concentrations up to 50 percent of total blood barbiturate (thiopental and pentobarbital) concentrations. Both patients received continuous infusions of thiopental and had present a condition (hypothermia) or drug (cimetidine) known to inhibit hepatic microsomal enzyme activity. It is suggested that inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity may prevent thiopental's metabolism to its major metabolite, a carboxylic acid analogue, and increase the amount of thiopental desulfurated to pentobarbital. Inhibition of hepatic microsomal metabolism also decreases the metabolism of pentobarbital. Until further elucidation of the causes of altered thiopental metabolism is available to identify patients more likely to have elevated concentrations of pentobarbital, monitoring of blood drug concentrations in patients receiving thiopental should include determination of both thiopental and pentobarbital concentrations.
AB - The desulfuration of thiopental to pentobarbital has previously been shown to be a relatively minor pathway of thiopental metabolism. In two cases, we observed significant conversion, resulting in blood pentobarbital concentrations up to 50 percent of total blood barbiturate (thiopental and pentobarbital) concentrations. Both patients received continuous infusions of thiopental and had present a condition (hypothermia) or drug (cimetidine) known to inhibit hepatic microsomal enzyme activity. It is suggested that inhibition of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity may prevent thiopental's metabolism to its major metabolite, a carboxylic acid analogue, and increase the amount of thiopental desulfurated to pentobarbital. Inhibition of hepatic microsomal metabolism also decreases the metabolism of pentobarbital. Until further elucidation of the causes of altered thiopental metabolism is available to identify patients more likely to have elevated concentrations of pentobarbital, monitoring of blood drug concentrations in patients receiving thiopental should include determination of both thiopental and pentobarbital concentrations.
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M3 - Article
VL - 20
SP - 283
EP - 287
JO - Annals of Pharmacotherapy
JF - Annals of Pharmacotherapy
SN - 1060-0280
IS - 4
ER -