An Anesthetic Profile
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Brevital® Sodium C-IV (methohexital sodium for injection, USP) is an established induction anesthetic used in:

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)1

Short Surgical Procedures2

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery3
Brevital
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Product Profile

  • Convenient and economical
    • Reconstituted solutions are chemically stable at room temperature for 24 hours2
    • Multi Dose Vials (MDVs) are available in single packs for easy storage2
  • Latex-free, preservative-free, and sulfur-free formulation2
  • Robust product supply
A rapid, ultrashort-acting barbiturate anesthetic, Brevital® Sodium for injection is a freeze-dried, sterile, nonpyrogenic mixture of methohexital sodium with 6% anhydrous sodium carbonate added as a buffer. It contains not less than 90% and not more than 110% of the labeled amount of methohexital sodium. It occurs as a white, freeze-dried plug that is freely soluble in water. This product is oxygen sensitive. The pH of the 1% solution is between 10 and 11; the pH of the 0.2% solution in 5% dextrose is between 9.5 and 10.5.2

WARNING

Brevital should be used only in hospital or ambulatory care settings that provide for continuous monitoring of respiratory (e.g. pulse oximetry) and cardiac function. Immediate availability of resuscitative drugs and age- and size-appropriate equipment for bag/valve/mask ventilation and intubation and personnel trained in their use and skilled in airway management should be assured. For deeply sedated patients, a designated individual other than the practitioner performing the procedure should be present to continuously monitor the patient. (See WARNINGS)


Brevital® Sodium is a rapid, ultrashort-acting barbiturate anesthetic for intravenous use in adults, and for rectal and intramuscular use only in pediatric patients older than one month. Brevital® Sodium is contraindicated in patients in whom general anesthesia is contraindicated, in those with latent or manifest porphyria, or in patients with a known hypersensitivity to barbiturates. Intra-arterial injection of barbiturate solutions can result in necrosis, which may lead to gangrene and possible amputation and thereby should be avoided. Caution should be exercised in debilitated patients or patients with impaired function of respiratory, circulatory, renal, hepatic or endocrine systems and in those with severe anemia or those who are extremely obese. Side effects include but are not limited to circulatory depression, hypotension, respiratory depression (including apnea), skeletal muscle hyperactivity (twitching), seizures, emergence delirium, restlessness, anxiety, nausea, hiccups, emesis, coughing and pain at the injection site. Following massive exposure to any barbiturate, pulmonary edema, circulatory collapse with loss of peripheral vascular tone, and cardiac arrest may occur. Brevital® Sodium may be habit-forming.

Brevital® Sodium C-IV (methohexital sodium for injection, USP) is manufactured and distributed by JHP Pharmaceuticals L.L.C.

See References