METHOHEXITAL Meaning and
Definition
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Methohexital is a noun that refers to a short-acting barbiturate drug used primarily as an anesthetic agent. It belongs to the class of barbiturates known as ultra-short-acting barbiturates, which are characterized by their fast onset and short duration of action. Methohexital is commonly administered intravenously to induce anesthesia, especially during short medical procedures or surgeries.
The pharmacological properties of methohexital are responsible for its anesthetic effects. It acts by enhancing the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, leading to sedation, amnesia, and decreased consciousness levels. These effects make it an ideal choice for inducing anesthesia or facilitating intubation in patients undergoing medical procedures.
Methohexital is known for its rapid onset of action, usually within one minute, and its comparatively short duration of effects, lasting for approximately 5 to 30 minutes. This short duration is advantageous as it allows for easy control and adjustment of the depth and length of anesthesia. Additionally, it is less likely to accumulate in the body, making it suitable for use in critically ill patients or those with impaired liver or kidney function.
Like other barbiturate drugs, methohexital carries some potential risks and side effects, including respiratory depression, hypotension, and allergic reactions. Therefore, it should only be administered under the supervision of trained medical professionals in a controlled environment.
Common Misspellings for METHOHEXITAL
- nethohexital
- kethohexital
- jethohexital
- mwthohexital
- msthohexital
- mdthohexital
- mrthohexital
- m4thohexital
- m3thohexital
- merhohexital
- mefhohexital
- meghohexital
- meyhohexital
- me6hohexital
- me5hohexital
- metgohexital
- metbohexital
- metnohexital
- metjohexital
- metuohexital
Etymology of METHOHEXITAL
The word "Methohexital" is a combination of two components: "metho-" and "hexital".
1. "Metho-" is a prefix derived from the chemical compound "methanol", which is an alcohol. It is added to drugs to indicate the presence of a methyl group (-CH3) within their molecular structure.
2. "Hexital" refers to a class of chemical compounds called "hexamethyltriethylene tetramine". The word is derived from the combination of "hexa-" (meaning six) and "hexitol" (a sugar alcohol), indicating the presence of six methyl groups in the compound.
Combining these components, "methohexital" signifies a drug with a molecular structure that includes six methyl groups (hexamethyl) and an alcohol group (methanol).
