Last Updated on October 30, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
Anesthetic agents are key in modern surgery. They help patients lose consciousness and avoid pain during operations. Discover 12 common anesthetic agents used in general intravenous anesthesia and their key functions.
At places like Liv Hospital, patients get top-notch care. They use general intravenous anesthesia with drugs like propofol and ketamine.
Choosing the right anesthetic agent is very important. It ensures safe and effective anesthesia. Knowing about different agents and their uses is essential.
Understanding general intravenous anesthesia is key for healthcare pros. It ensures patient safety and good surgical results. This method uses drugs tailored for each patient, showing its complexity and importance.
Anesthesia helps patients feel no pain during surgery. General anesthesia makes patients unconscious. This way, they can have surgery without feeling anything.
“The goal of general anesthesia is to keep patients safe and comfortable during surgery,” say anesthesiology experts.
Modern anesthetic methods have changed a lot. New drugs and technology have made anesthesia safer and more effective. Multidisciplinary teams are key in this progress, combining different experts for better care.
New agents with better profiles and fewer side effects have been introduced. For example, propofol has replaced older inhalational agents, showing big progress in the field.
General intravenous anesthesia needs a team effort. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, nurses, and others work together. Effective communication and collaboration are vital for patient safety and surgery success.
Teamwork is shown in pre-anesthetic assessments. The team checks the patient’s history and current health to plan the anesthesia. This teamwork highlights the complexity and team effort in modern anesthesia.
Anesthetic agents are divided into types based on how they are given and what they do. This helps us understand their roles in today’s anesthesia.
Anesthetic agents are given in two main ways: intravenous and inhalational. Intravenous anesthetics like propofol start working fast. They are used to begin and keep anesthesia going. On the other hand, inhalational anesthetics like sevoflurane are used to keep anesthesia going. They are easy to adjust.
Choosing between intravenous and inhalational anesthetics depends on many things. These include the patient’s health, the surgery type, and the anesthesiologist’s choice. Both have good points and bad, and knowing these is key for good anesthesia care.
Anesthetic agents are also grouped by what they do. Sedatives like midazolam calm patients and are used before surgery. Hypnotics like propofol make patients sleep and are used for starting and keeping anesthesia. Analgesics like fentanyl help with pain and are key for balanced anesthesia.
These agents are often mixed to get the right level of anesthesia and pain relief. Mixing them can make anesthesia more effective with less of each agent.
Muscle relaxants are very important. They help with putting in a breathing tube and make surgery easier by relaxing muscles. There are two main types: depolarizing like succinylcholine and non-depolarizing like rocuronium.
Adjunctive medications like antiemetics and antihypertensives are also key. They help with side effects and problems that can happen with anesthesia and surgery. This makes recovery smoother for patients.
Propofol is seen as the top choice for IV anesthetics. It works fast and doesn’t last long. This makes it great for starting and keeping anesthesia.
Propofol works by boosting GABAA receptors. This helps it act quickly. It also clears out of the body fast, which is good for quick recovery times.
Key pharmacokinetic parameters of propofol include:
Propofol is used for starting and keeping anesthesia. The dose is based on weight. A first dose is given, then a steady flow is used to keep the anesthesia.
Typical dosing for adults:
Propofol is good because it starts and stops quickly. This is great for day surgeries. But, it can cause:
Anesthesiologists say propofol is safe and comfortable for patients. But, it needs careful watching and dosing to avoid problems.
In short, propofol is the best IV anesthetic. Its quick action and safety make it a top choice for doctors.
Barbiturates like thiopental and methohexital were key in starting anesthesia. They changed anesthesiology, making it easier to make patients sleep during surgery.
Thiopental was first used in the 1930s. It quickly became a go-to for starting anesthesia because it works fast. Methohexital came later and was better for quick recovery.
Even though newer drugs like propofol are now used more, thiopental and methohexital are not forgotten. They’re used in some cases where their benefits are needed.
As noted by anesthesiologists, “the historical context of barbiturates in anesthesia is invaluable for understanding current practices.”
Barbiturates work by boosting GABA, a key brain chemical. This leads to calmness, sleep, and helps prevent seizures. Thiopental and methohexital work differently, affecting how long they last.
Even though newer drugs are used more, barbiturates are not forgotten. Thiopental is used for brain protection in some cases. But, they can cause breathing problems and low blood pressure.
“The careful selection of anesthetic agents is key for patient safety and the best surgical results.”
— Anesthesiology Guidelines
In summary, thiopental and methohexital have been important in anesthesia’s history. Knowing about their past, how they work, and their uses today helps us understand their place in anesthesiology.
Ketamine and etomidate are key players in general IV anesthesia. They offer special benefits for certain patients.
Ketamine works by disconnecting certain brain systems. This creates a state of dissociative anesthesia. It brings pain relief, memory loss, and immobility without harming breathing or heart function.
Ketamine is great for patients at risk of low blood pressure or asthma. It helps keep breathing natural and airways open in some cases.
Etomidate is known for keeping the heart and blood pressure stable. It’s perfect for patients with heart issues or those who are unstable.
Etomidate keeps blood pressure and heart output steady. This is vital for very sick patients or those having big surgeries.
Ketamine and etomidate each have their own strengths. The right choice depends on the patient’s needs and the situation.
| Patient Population | Ketamine | Etomidate |
| Cardiovascular Disease | May not be ideal due to increased heart oxygen demand | Preferred for its heart stability |
| Hypovolemia or Shock | Good due to its heart-stimulating effects | Keeps blood pressure stable |
| Asthma or COPD | Helpful for its airway opening effects | Does not offer specific respiratory benefits |
In summary, ketamine and etomidate are important alternatives in general IV anesthesia. They fit different patient needs, and knowing their strengths is key for the best care.
Benzodiazepines and opioids are key parts of today’s anesthetic plans. They help make anesthesia balanced, keeping patients comfortable and making surgeries easier for doctors.
Benzodiazepines are drugs that help with sleep, calmness, and muscle relaxation. Midazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam are often used in anesthesia.
These drugs can be given by mouth, through a vein, or by muscle injection. This makes them flexible for different medical situations.
Opioids are also important in anesthesia, helping with pain and making the patient sleepy. Fentanyl, remifentanil, and sufentanil are strong opioids used in general anesthesia.
| Opioid | Potency Relative to Morphine | Onset/Duration |
| Fentanyl | 75-100 times | Rapid onset, short duration |
| Remifentanil | 100-200 times | Rapid onset, ultra-short duration |
| Sufentanil | 500-1000 times | Rapid onset, long duration |
The right opioid depends on the surgery and the patient’s needs.
Using benzodiazepines and opioids together makes anesthesia better. They work together to make patients sleepier and less in pain. This means doctors can use less of each drug, which is safer for patients.
Key benefits include:
In summary, using benzodiazepines and opioids wisely is key in modern anesthesia. It helps make sure patients are safe and comfortable during surgery.
Inhalational anesthetic agents are key in today’s anesthesia. They work with IV anesthetics to keep patients comfortable and safe during surgery.
Sevoflurane and desflurane are two main inhalational agents. Sevoflurane is great for smooth starts and ends, good for kids and adults. Desflurane starts and stops quickly, useful in some cases.
A study in the Journal of Clinical Anesthesia found that desflurane and sevoflurane work well for anesthesia. But desflurane recovers faster. This shows picking the right agent is key for each patient and surgery.
Isoflurane and nitrous oxide are also used in anesthesia. Isoflurane keeps anesthesia stable with little effect on breathing. Nitrous oxide helps with pain and lowers the need for other drugs.
A study in the British Journal of Anaesthesia said nitrous oxide has been used for 150 years. It’s good for pain and anxiety, making it a valuable tool in anesthesia.
Switching between IV and inhalational anesthetics needs careful thought. Smooth transitions are important for stable anesthesia and patient safety.
Anesthesiologists say switching between IV and inhalational anesthesia is flexible. It helps meet the patient’s and surgical team’s needs. This flexibility is a big plus in today’s anesthesia.
In summary, agents like sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane, and nitrous oxide are essential in anesthesia. Knowing their uses is vital for the best patient care.
Neuromuscular blocking agents are key in surgery. They help with intubation and muscle relaxation. This makes sure patients are calm and steady during operations.
Succinylcholine works like acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. It causes muscle paralysis. It’s fast-acting and short-lived, perfect for quick intubation.
Key characteristics of succinylcholine include:
But, succinylcholine can cause serious side effects. It can lead to high potassium levels and malignant hyperthermia. So, doctors must think carefully before using it.
Rocuronium and vecuronium block acetylcholine receptors. They cause muscle relaxation without depolarizing. They are safer and more commonly used than succinylcholine.
Comparative advantages of rocuronium and vecuronium:
Monitoring and reversing neuromuscular blockade are vital. They prevent paralysis and ensure safety after surgery. Doctors use train-of-four stimulation to check the blockade.
“The use of neuromuscular monitoring is essential to titrate the dose of neuromuscular blocking agents and to determine the need for reversal agents.”
Reversal agents like neostigmine and sugammadex are used to reverse non-depolarizing agents. Neostigmine increases acetylcholine levels. Sugammadex binds to rocuronium and vecuronium, reversing their effects.
Key considerations for reversal include:
Choosing the right anesthetic agents is key for patient care. The choice depends on the patient’s condition and the surgery type. General intravenous anesthesia uses different agents, and knowing the common techniques is vital.
Today’s general anaesthetic drugs have improved a lot. They offer many options for anesthesia. Healthcare professionals can pick the best agents for each patient and surgery, ensuring safe and effective care.
Good patient care starts with the right anesthetic agents. It’s about understanding each patient’s needs and the surgery’s demands. This way, healthcare teams can give top-notch care and achieve the best results.
General intravenous anesthesia is a method of anesthesia. It uses anesthetic agents given through a vein. This makes the patient unconscious and pain-free during surgery.
In general intravenous anesthesia, several types of agents are used. These include intravenous anesthetics, sedatives, hypnotics, and analgesics. Muscle relaxants and adjunctive medications are also used.
Propofol is a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent. It is known for its quick onset and recovery times. This makes it the gold standard for inducing and maintaining anesthesia.
Barbiturates, like thiopental and methohexital, have been used in anesthesia. They have benefits but also limitations. These include a narrow therapeutic index and possible side effects.
Ketamine is an anesthetic agent that induces dissociative anesthesia. This is a state where a person disconnects from pain and their environment.
Benzodiazepines, such as midazolam and diazepam, and opioids, like fentanyl and remifentanil, are used in anesthesia. They provide sedation, anxiolysis, and analgesia.
Inhalational anesthetic agents, such as sevoflurane and desflurane, are used to maintain anesthesia during surgery. They can be used alone or with intravenous agents.
Neuromuscular blocking agents, such as succinylcholine and rocuronium, are used to relax muscles. This makes tracheal intubation easier during general anesthesia.
Choosing anesthetic agents depends on several factors. These include the patient’s medical history, the type of surgery, and the anesthesiologist’s judgment.
Patient safety during general intravenous anesthesia is ensured by careful selection and administration of agents. Close monitoring of vital signs and anesthesia levels is also key.
In general surgery, common anesthetic agents include propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium. Others are also used.
General anesthesia has several types. These include total intravenous anesthesia, balanced anesthesia, and inhalational anesthesia.
References |
Miller, A. L. (2023, April 30). Inhalational anesthetic. In StatPearls. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved October 2025, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554540/