Etomidate

Etomidate is a prescription medication used as General Anesthesia Induction.

• Etomidate is available under the following different brand names: Amidate

Adult and pediatric dosage

Injectable solution

• 2mg/mL

General Anesthesia Induction

Adult dosage

• 0.2-0.6 mg/kg IVP over 30-60 seconds

Pediatric dosage

• Children younger than 10 years of age: Safety and efficacy not established
• Children older than 10 years of age: Same as adults; 0.2-0.6 mg/kg IVP over 30-60 seconds

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

Common side effects of Etomidate include:

• drowsiness, 
• stomach pain, 
• vomiting, 
• twitching, and
• pain at the injection site

Serious side effects of Etomidate include:

• rash, 
• hives, 
• itching, 
• red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever, 
• wheezing, 
• tightness in the chest or throat, 
• trouble breathing, 
• difficulty swallowing or talking, 
• unusual hoarseness, 
• swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat, 
• severe headache, 
• dizziness, 
• fainting, 
• changes in vision, 
• fast, slow, or abnormal heartbeat, 
• muscle stiffness, 
• difficulty controlling body movements, 
• inability to control eye movements, and
• injection site irritation, swelling, or redness

Rare side effects of Etomidate include:

• none 

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.  Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first

• Etomidate has severe interactions with no other drugs.
• Etomidate has serious interactions with at least 16 other drugs.
• Etomidate has moderate interactions with at least 151 other drugs.
• Etomidate has minor interactions with at least 16 other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity 

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Etomidate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Etomidate?”

Cautions

• Adrenal suppression (and prolonged therapy)
• Prolonged infusion associated with suppression of endogenous cortisol and aldosterone production; the formulation is not intended for prolonged infusion
• Exacerbations of underlying myocardial dysfunction reported; monitor
• The risk of toxicity may increase in patients with renal impairment; use caution; monitor renal function
• Elderly patients may require lower doses; use associated with cardiac depression, especially those with hypertension
• Safety during labor and delivery not elucidated; not recommended

General anesthetics and sedation drugs in young children and pregnant women

• Brain development
• Prolonged or repeated exposure may result in negative effects on fetal or young children’s brain development
• Caution with use during surgeries or procedures in children younger than 3 years or pregnant women during their third trimester
• Assess the risk: benefit ratio in these populations, especially for prolonged procedures (i.e., over 3 hours) or multiple procedures

Pregnancy and Lactation

• There are no adequate and well-controlled studies on pregnant women
• There are insufficient data to support intravenous use in obstetrics, including Caesarean section deliveries; such use is not recommended
• Not known whether a drug is excreted in human milk; because many drugs are excreted in human milk, use caution when administering to a nursing mother