Profile of etomidate. A hypnotic, anticonvulsant and brain protective compound.

A review of the hypnotic, anticonvulsant and brain protective action of etomidate in animals shows that when given as a single injection in different animal species recovery from hypnosis is quick and that the safety margin is large. In dogs a bolus or infusion produces high amplitude theta activity on the electroencephalogram (EEG). During infusion burst suppression is seen. After high doses, behaviour and EEG changes returned to normal within 3 hours. The wide spectrum of anticonvulsant activity suggests that etomidate may be useful in the treatment of status epilepticus. Studies in various animal models show that etomidate might have brain resuscitative properties. In hypoxic-ischaemic conditions etomidate has some protective effects, where its anticonvulsant action is probably important. Lowering of the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption, and reducing the rise of intracranial pressure, coupled with immobilisation and prevention of hyperactivity enables animals to resist a hypoxic insult.