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Brevital Sodium

  • Generic Name: methohexital sodium for injection
  • Brand Name: Brevital Sodium

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    • Brevital Sodium Patient Information Including Side Effects

    Generic Name: methohexital

    What is methohexital?

    Methohexital is a barbiturate (bar-BIT-chur-ate). Methohexital slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.

    Methohexital is used to cause you to fall asleep before a surgery or other medical procedure.

    Methohexital may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

    What are the possible side effects of methohexital?

    Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

    Tell your caregivers right away if you have:

    • severe burning or swelling where the medicine was injected;
    • fast heartbeats;
    • numbness or tingly feeling;
    • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
    • weak or shallow breathing; or
    • confusion, anxiety, or restless feeling when coming out of anesthesia.

    Side effects such as confusion, depression, or excitement may be more likely in older adults and those who are ill or debilitated.

    Common side effects may include:

    This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

    What is the most important information I should know about methohexital?

    You should not use this medicine if you have a history of porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

    Brevital Sodium Patient Information including How Should I Take

    What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving methohexital?

    You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to methohexital or other barbiturates (butabarbital, pentobarbital, phenobarbital, and others), or if you have:

    • a history of porphyria (a genetic enzyme disorder that causes symptoms affecting the skin or nervous system).

    Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

    Tell your doctor if you are pregnant.

    Anesthesia medicine may affect brain development in a child under 3, or an unborn baby whose mother receives this medicine during late pregnancy. These effects may be more likely when the anesthesia is used for 3 hours or longer, or used for repeated procedures. Effects on brain development could cause learning or behavior problems later in life.

    Your doctor may decide to postpone a surgery or procedure based on these risks. Treatment may not be delayed in the case of life-threatening conditions, medical emergencies, or surgery needed to correct certain birth defects. Ask your doctor for information about all medicines that will be used during your surgery or procedure. Also ask how long the procedure will last.

    It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

    How is methohexital given?

    Methohexital is given as an injection into a muscle, or as an infusion into a vein. This medication is also given rectally when used in young children.

    A healthcare provider will give you this medicine.

    Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when methohexital is injected.

    Methohexital should make you fall asleep very quickly.

    Your breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs will be watched closely while you are receiving methohexital. You will also be watched closely while you are coming out of the anesthesia.

    Drowsiness may last for several hours. You will need someone to drive you home from after you receive methohexital.

    Brevital Sodium Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose

    What happens if I miss a dose?

    Since methohexital is used as a single dose, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

    What happens if I overdose?

    Since this medication is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

    What should I avoid after receiving methohexital?

    This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery for 8 to 12 hours after you awake from anesthesia.

    Do not drink alcohol just after receiving methohexital. Dangerous side effects could occur.

    What other drugs will affect methohexital?

    Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

    This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect methohexital, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

    Where can I get more information?

    Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about methohexital.

    Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
    Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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