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Last Updated on November 26, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
General anesthesia makes patients unaware of pain during surgery. It’s done with general anesthesia medications, which can be breathed in or injected. These common anesthetic agents are picked based on the patient’s needs and the surgery type. Discover what medication is used for general anesthesia and how it helps during surgical operations.
Anesthesiologists are key in giving these surgery medications. They watch over patients during surgery, making sure they’re safe and comfortable. Thanks to anesthesia meds, complex surgeries can now be done without pain or worry.
General anesthesia is key for surgeries. It makes sure patients are comfortable and safe. It’s a complex mix of elements.
General anesthesia has three main parts: hypnosis/unconsciousness, analgesia, and immobility. Hypnosis/unconsciousness means the patient can’t feel or see what’s happening. Analgesia helps the patient not feel pain. Immobility lets surgeons work without the patient moving.
Doctors use special anesthesia medications for each patient. They pick these based on the patient’s health, the surgery type, and other factors.
Anesthesiologists choose the right anesthesiology drugs for each patient. They look at the patient’s health, the surgery, and what the patient wants.
They work with the patient and the surgical team. This ensures the best results for the patient.
Patients under general anesthesia are watched closely by anesthesiologists. They check vital signs and how deep the anesthesia is.
Doctors adjust the anesthesia medication as needed. This keeps the anesthesia at the right level and responds to any changes in the patient.
Propofol is a top choice for starting and keeping patients under general anesthesia. It works fast and wears off quickly. This makes it great for many surgeries.
Propofol boosts the brain’s calming signals. This leads to sleepiness, forgetfulness, and calmness. It quickly spreads through the body and then slowly leaves it. This quickness helps patients wake up fast.
Doctors usually give propofol at a dose of 1.5-2.5 mg per kilogram. It’s used for starting and keeping anesthesia during surgery. The exact dose depends on the patient’s size, age, and the surgery type.
Table: Propofol Dosing Guidelines
| Application | Dose | Administration Rate |
| Induction | 1.5-2.5 mg/kg | Slow IV push |
| Maintenance | 0.1-0.2 mg/kg/min | Continuous infusion |
Propofol is great for quick starts and fast recovery. It’s perfect for day surgeries. But, it can lower blood pressure and has a small safe range. It might also cause pain, breathing problems, and very rare but serious side effects.
Propofol’s unique pharmacological profile makes it a versatile agent in anesthesia care.
Sevoflurane is a top pick for anesthesiologists because of its good properties. It’s a halogenated ether used for general anesthesia. It helps patients feel less pain and less aware.
Sevoflurane works by changing how ions and receptors in the brain work. This leads to its effects as an anesthetic. Its fast start and end make it good for many surgeries.
A study in the Journal of Anesthesia says, “Sevoflurane’s quick start and end are big pluses in the operating room.”
“Sevoflurane is known for its smooth induction and recovery characteristics, making it a popular choice for both pediatric and adult patients undergoing surgery.”
Sevoflurane is great for many surgeries, from small to big ones. It keeps patients stable and recovers quickly. This is perfect for surgeries that need to move fast.
| Surgical Procedure | Anesthetic Requirements | Sevoflurane Suitability |
| Minor Outpatient Surgery | Rapid recovery, minimal side effects | Highly suitable |
| Complex Operations | Stable anesthesia, controlled pain relief | Very suitable |
| Pediatric Surgery | Gentle induction, smooth recovery | Highly suitable |
Sevoflurane is mostly safe but can have side effects. These include breathing problems and low blood pressure. It’s not for people allergic to it or other similar anesthetics.
Key Safety Considerations:
Desflurane is a fast-acting anesthetic used for general anesthesia. It has quick onset and recovery times. This makes it great for some surgeries.
Desflurane has a low blood/gas solubility coefficient. This means it can quickly change the anesthesia level. Anesthesiologists can adjust the anesthesia depth fast.
Desflurane’s profile includes:
Desflurane is best for surgeries needing quick recovery. It’s great for outpatient surgeries or procedures needing fast turnaround. It allows for precise control over anesthesia depth.
Some ideal uses for desflurane are:
Desflurane’s rapid recovery is a big plus. Patients wake up fast, which means shorter stays in the PACU. This helps busy surgical centers move patients faster.
Key benefits of desflurane include:
Nitrous oxide is the oldest anesthetic that’s not gone out of style. It helps with pain and acts as a light anesthetic. Its long use shows it’s safe and works well.
Nitrous oxide has been around for over a century. At first, people used it for fun because it made them feel good. But by the mid-1800s, doctors started using it to help with pain during medical procedures. Now, it’s used in surgeries and dental work because it helps with pain and anxiety.
Today, nitrous oxide is used in many ways. It’s often mixed with other drugs to make them work better. This mix helps keep patients safe and comfortable during treatments.
Nitrous oxide works in several ways to help with pain. It affects the brain’s pain receptors and boosts the activity of certain brain chemicals. This makes it great for managing pain during surgeries.
It helps by turning on the body’s natural pain fighters and directly affecting pain pathways. This makes patients feel less pain, which is key in managing pain during surgery.
Even though nitrous oxide is helpful, it has some downsides. It can make air-filled spaces in the body bigger. This is a problem for people with certain health issues, like lung problems or blockages in the intestines.
Choosing the right patient for nitrous oxide is important. Doctors need to look at the patient’s health, the type of surgery, and any reasons they shouldn’t use it. Here’s a table with key things to think about:
| Condition | Consideration | Recommendation |
| Pneumothorax | Risk of expansion | Avoid use |
| Bowel Obstruction | Potential for increased pressure | Use with caution |
| Vitamin B12 Deficiency | Inactivates vitamin B12 | Monitor vitamin B12 levels |
By carefully choosing patients and knowing its limits, doctors can use nitrous oxide safely and effectively.
Fentanyl is known for its quick action and strong pain relief during surgery. It’s a powerful opioid used to manage pain in many surgeries.
Fentanyl works by binding to specific opioid receptors in the body. This action gives it strong pain-relieving effects. Its high potency means it works well even at small doses.
In multimodal anesthesia, fentanyl is key for pain control. It’s often mixed with other drugs to create balanced anesthesia. This approach makes surgeries safer and more effective.
Doctors carefully choose the right dose of fentanyl for each patient. They consider the surgery type, its length, and the patient’s health. Fentanyl can be given through veins or epidurally, making it flexible.
Key considerations for fentanyl administration include:
Fentanyl’s quick start and short action make it great for managing surgery pain.
Remifentanil is a key part of modern anesthesia. It’s a synthetic opioid that works fast and lasts a short time. This makes it perfect for many surgeries.
Remifentanil starts working quickly and stops fast. This is because it’s broken down by special enzymes. This gives anesthesiologists the power to adjust the dose as needed during surgery.
Unlike other opioids, remifentanil is broken down by enzymes, not the liver. This is why it works for a very short time. It’s great for surgeries where patients need to wake up fast.
Remifentanil is often given through target-controlled infusion (TCI). TCI lets doctors control the amount of remifentanil in the blood. This makes anesthesia safer and more effective.
With TCI, a computer calculates the right dose based on the patient’s body. This keeps the pain relief steady and strong during surgery.
Remifentanil is good for many surgeries because it works fast and stops quickly. It’s perfect for day-case surgeries and other short procedures. This is because it helps patients recover faster.
Using remifentanil with other drugs can improve anesthesia. It helps control pain and improve patient outcomes.
General anesthesia often uses midazolam, a benzodiazepine. It’s great for reducing anxiety and making patients forget the procedure. Midazolam is a key medication for pre-operative care because it sedates and relaxes patients.
Midazolam helps reduce anxiety before surgery. It also makes patients forget the procedure, making their experience better. This is very helpful in surgeries because it lowers stress and discomfort.
The anxiolytic effects of midazolam come from its action on the central nervous system. It works with a neurotransmitter called GABA, leading to sedation and relaxation.
Midazolam is often given before surgery to calm patients. It’s also used with other anesthetics to ensure patients are well-sedated and pain-free during surgery.
Midazolam works well with other anesthetics. Together, they create a better anesthetic effect. This means patients need less of other drugs, which can reduce side effects.
The synergistic interaction between midazolam and other anesthetics is key. It helps achieve the right level of anesthesia safely and predictably.
Etomidate is a standout in anesthesia for its heart-friendly nature. This makes it a great choice for surgeries.
Etomidate keeps the heart stable during anesthesia induction. This is key for those with heart issues or unstable blood pressure.
It doesn’t much affect heart rate, blood pressure, or how well the heart pumps. This is why it’s good for risky surgeries.
Etomidate is best for patients needing careful heart management. This includes older adults, those with heart disease, and those having big surgeries.
Using etomidate in these cases can lower the chance of heart problems during surgery.
But, etomidate can also cause adrenocortical suppression. This means the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol. This is something to watch out for.
To lessen this risk, doctors usually only give etomidate once for induction. They also avoid giving it for a long time.
| Patient Characteristics | Etomidate Benefits | Considerations |
| Cardiovascular disease | Maintains cardiovascular stability | Risk of adrenocortical suppression |
| Elderly patients | Suitable for hemodynamically unstable patients | Careful dosing required |
| Major surgery | Minimal impact on cardiac output | Monitoring for adrenal insufficiency |
Anesthesiologists use neuromuscular blocking agents like vecuronium and cisatracurium for muscle relaxation during surgery. These agents help by paralyzing muscles. This makes it easier for surgeons to do complex procedures.
Vecuronium and cisatracurium block acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction. This stops nerve impulses from reaching muscles, causing paralysis. They work by blocking nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, stopping muscle depolarization.
Intermediate-acting agents like vecuronium and cisatracurium last between 20 to 60 minutes. This is shorter than long-acting agents, which can last over 2 hours. The choice depends on the surgery’s length and the patient’s health.
Intermediate-acting agents are better for quick recovery. Long-acting agents are used for longer surgeries.
It’s important to monitor neuromuscular function with agents like vecuronium and cisatracurium. This ensures patients don’t have too much paralysis after surgery. Techniques like train-of-four (TOF) stimulation help check the level of block.
Good monitoring lets anesthesiologists adjust the dose correctly. They can also give reversal agents to help patients recover fully.
The field of anesthesiology is changing fast. This is thanks to new discoveries in pharmacology and physiology. New medicines are making care better, with safer options and quicker recovery times.
New anesthetic agents are being made. They work faster and have better recovery times. Training programs for doctors are also getting better. This means safer and more effective care for patients.
Research is key to the future of anesthesia. It will lead to advancements in anesthesia that focus on safety and comfort. As new anesthesia medications come out, they will improve the field of anesthesiology. This will shape the future of anesthesia medications.
General anesthesia makes you completely unconscious. It’s done with special medicines that you breathe in or get injected.
General anesthesia has three parts: making you unconscious, blocking pain, and keeping you from moving. Doctors pick the right medicines based on your needs and the surgery.
Propofol is used to start general anesthesia because it works fast and doesn’t last long. It helps by making GABA work better.
Sevoflurane and Desflurane are inhaled anesthetics that work quickly and you recover fast. They’re good for many surgeries and often mixed with other medicines.
Nitrous oxide has been used for a long time. It helps with pain and anxiety. It’s often mixed with other medicines to make them work better.
Fentanyl and Remifentanil are strong pain medicines used in surgery. They start working fast and are often mixed with other medicines.
Midazolam is a sedative that helps with anxiety and forgetfulness. It’s given before surgery to make patients more comfortable.
Etomidate is used to start anesthesia and keeps the heart stable. But, it can lower cortisol levels, so it’s used carefully.
Agents like vecuronium and cisatracurium relax muscles during surgery. They block acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
Monitoring patients during anesthesia is key to safety. Anesthesiologists watch vital signs and adjust medicines as needed.
Common medicines include Propofol, Sevoflurane, Desflurane, Nitrous oxide, Fentanyl, Remifentanil, Midazolam, Etomidate, vecuronium, and cisatracurium.
References |
Huttinger, R. (2023). Spigelian hernia. In StatPearls. National Library of Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538290/
