Anethesiology Drug Introduction Anesthesiology medications can be broken down into the following categories inhaled agents neuromuscular blockers sedatives Anethesiology Drug Table Inhaled Agents Name Mechanism of Action Key Indication Key Toxicity General Anesthetics Halothane Cortical, myocardial, respiratory depression Inhaled anesthetic Hepatotoxicity Malignant hyperthermia Enflurane Proconvulsant Malignant hyperthermia Methoxyflurane Nephrotoxicity Malignant hyperthermia Sevoflurane Malignant hyperthermia Nitrous oxide Gas expansion when trapped in a body cavity Neuromuscular Blockers Depolarizing Agents Succinylcholine Ach receptor agonist (sustained depolarization) Depolarizing neuromuscular blockade Hyperkalemia (burn patients) Malignant hyperthermia Non-Depolarizing Agents (Reversed with Neostigmine and Atropine) Pancuronium Competitive antagonist of Ach receptors Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockade Tachycardia Respiratory depression Atracurium Vecuronium Sedatives Atropine Muscarinic antagonist Sedative Cholinergic crisis (organophosphate poisoning) Dry skin Flushed skin Constipation Urinary retention Cycloplegia Ketamine NMDA antagonist Dissociative anesthetic Neuropathic pain syndromes Disorientation Hallucinations Midazolam Increases GABA type A channel opening frequency Sedative Relaxant Short-acting, high potency benzodiazepine Respiratory depression Decreased blood pressure Amnesia Propofol Potentiates activity at GABA type A channels Sedation Rapid anesthesia induction Pain on injection Decreased blood pressure Thiopental Increases GABA channel opening duration Induction of anesthesia Respiratory depression Cardiovascular depression