An Anesthetic Profile You Can Trust in ECT

An induction agent for ECT should ensure rapid unconsciousness, have a short half-life and duration of action, and provide for rapid recovery.1, 2

ECT

Brevital® Sodium has a long, strong evidence-based record in ECT2

  • Trusted for years by anesthesiologists for its profile in ECT
  • Rapid induction time2, 3, 4
  • Ultrashort duration of action2, 3
    • Usual adult induction dose typically provides anesthesia for 5 to 7 minutes3
Brevital® Sodium is preferred in ECT for its long record of safety and efficacy5

“To date, no anesthetic agent has gained widespread acceptance as a replacement
for methohexital…"

"As methohexital has become available again, we have returned to using
it exclusively” 6

Brevital® Sodium is preferred in ECT for its long record of safety and efficacy5

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