Plasma potassium, sodium and blood sugar following etomidate and suxamethonium

Changes in plasma potassium, sodium and blood sugar were studied in Nigerian patients following induction of anaesthesia with etomidate and suxamethonium. Healthy patients presenting for elective surgery as well as psychiatric patients presenting for electroconvulsive therapy were studied. Plasma potasium was essentially unaffected by etomidate administration, but rose significantly when suxamethonium was given. This rise was higher than that observed with thiopentone and suxamethonium in a previous study on a similar group of Nigerians. Blood sugar was not significantly increased by the administration of etomidate but rose significantly after suxamethonium was given. This hyperglycaemic response was greater than when thiopentone was used as the induction agent. Administration of ECT was associated with a further increase in blood sugar. It is concluded that thiopentone is preferable to etomidate in situations where increases in plasma potassium and blood sugar are undesirable following administration of suxamethonium.