Propanidid

Propanidid is a short-acting intravenous anesthetic agent that was used in medicine during the 1960s and 1970s. It was primarily used for the induction of general anesthesia and for the maintenance of anesthesia during short surgical procedures.

History

Propanidid was first synthesized in the 1960s by the German pharmaceutical company Bayer. It was introduced into clinical practice in 1963. However, due to its side effects, including allergic reactions and the potential for addiction, it was withdrawn from the market in the 1980s.

Pharmacology

Propanidid is a barbiturate derivative. It acts by enhancing the action of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which results in sedation, hypnosis, and anesthesia. Propanidid is highly lipid-soluble, which allows it to cross the blood-brain barrier rapidly and produce anesthesia within one minute of administration.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of propanidid include respiratory depression, hypotension, and allergic reactions. Allergic reactions can range from mild skin rashes to severe anaphylactic reactions. Due to these side effects and the development of safer anesthetic agents, propanidid is no longer used in clinical practice.

See Also

• Etomidate
• Propofol
• Barbiturates
• General anesthesia