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Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalational Anesthetics: Overview

Inhalation anesthetics are drugs that induce general anesthesia upon inhalation. They work by increasing the sensitivity of GABAA receptors or inhibiting NMDA receptors, leading to a decrease in central nervous system activity. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly adjusted by changing the concentration of the inhaled gas. Some common examples of inhalational anesthetics include volatile liquids like isoflurane, desflurane, sevoflurane and gases like xenon and nitrous oxide. Isoflurane, a...

General Anesthesia: Overview

General Anesthesia: Overview

Anesthesia is a medical procedure that uses drugs for CNS suppression to enable painless surgeries and procedures. The selection of anesthetics is influenced by their pharmacokinetic properties, side effects, and patient characteristics. Various types of anesthesia include general, local, regional, spinal, and inhalational.
General anesthesia induces unconsciousness in the whole body, while the others target specific areas or sensations. It is administered to minimize adverse effects, maintain...

Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Local Anesthetics: Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationship

Local anesthetics (LAs) are drugs that induce a temporary loss of sensation in a limited body area, preventing pain. Cocaine was the first local anesthetic discovered in the late 19th century. Cocaine is a benzoic acid ester obtained from the leaves of coca shrubs and was often used for its psychotropic effects. Cocaine was first isolated in 1860 by Albert Niemann. Sigmund Freud studied the physiological actions of cocaine. Carl Koller later introduced it into clinical practice in 1884 as a...

Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics

Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics

The potency and duration of action of local anesthetics (LAs) are determined by their pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics describes how LAs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated from the body. When administered to the vascular tissues, LAs are quickly absorbed and enter the systemic circulation, reducing their localized effects. Adding vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine to LAs reduces their absorption into the systemic circulation, making them clinically effective. The...

Stages of General Anesthesia

Stages of General Anesthesia

Various sedation levels offer significant advantages in facilitating procedural interventions for patients undergoing medical or invasive surgical procedures. These levels span from anxiolysis to general anesthesia, providing a spectrum of sedative effects to cater to specific patient needs. Anxiolysis reduces anxiety and is achieved through minimal sedation, enabling patients to remain awake and responsive while feeling more at ease during the procedure. This level can benefit minor...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics

Optogenetic Activation of Afferent Pathways in Brain Slices and Modulation of Responses by Volatile Anesthetics

Published on: July 23, 2020

Molecular approaches to improving general anesthetics.

Stuart A Forman¹

¹Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Jackson 4, MGH, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. saforman@partners.org

Anesthesiology Clinics

|November 16, 2010

Summary

As patients age, new general anesthetics are needed for safer anesthesia outside the operating room. This review covers advances in understanding anesthetic effects and toxicity, exploring novel agents for improved clinical care.

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Area of Science:

Anesthesiology
Translational Medicine
Pharmacology

Background:

The average patient age has increased, leading to greater use of general anesthesia and deep sedation outside traditional operating rooms.
Current anesthetic agents and delivery methods face limitations in meeting the needs of an aging patient population and evolving clinical settings.
Recent research has significantly advanced the understanding of how general anesthetics work and revealed previously unrecognized toxicities.

Purpose of the Study:

To review key developments in general anesthetic research.
To highlight translational research on novel anesthetic agents.
To discuss the potential of new anesthetics to improve patient care and reshape clinical practice.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent advancements in general anesthesia.
Analysis of translational research on new anesthetic compounds.
Discussion of emerging anesthetic delivery models and their clinical implications.

Main Results:

Increased knowledge of the mechanisms of action for current general anesthetics.
Identification of previously unrecognized toxicities associated with existing anesthetic agents.
Emergence of promising new general anesthetic candidates from translational research.

Conclusions:

Current anesthetic options are insufficient for the evolving demographic and clinical landscape.
Understanding anesthetic mechanisms and toxicities is crucial for developing safer alternatives.
Translational research offers potential for new general anesthetics that could significantly improve patient outcomes and clinical care.