Intravenous anaesthetics

Potentiates GABA receptors

It is readily metabolized in the liver and distributed in fatty tissue

Most commonly used as an induction agent as patient wakes up within 5-10 minutes 

Alters patients mood and preventing vomiting 

Used in 'Total Intravenous Anasthesia' as maintance agent, given along within opioid and muscle relaxant 

Can cause apnoea and a fall in BP. 

Component used to help people to sleep inducing anaesthesia 

Potentitates GABA receptors 

Cross the blood brain barrier producing unconciousness with 20-30 seconds due to high lipid solubility 

Distributes rapidly to other tissues so regain conciousness with 10-20 minutes

Due to slow metabolism in the liver and a half life of 9 hours; sedative effects can presist for 24 hours and accumulate 

Poor analgesic and muscle relaxant 

Induction of anaesthesia

Rapid recovery without any hangover 

Potent 

Induces anaesthesia smoothly 

Non-irritant 

Moderate muscle relaxation 

Has an association with severe hepatotoxicity 

Fall in BP

Muscle relaxation and potentiate muscle relaxants 

Risk of hepatotoxicity but less than halothane 

Less potanet than halothane 

Used for maintaing anaesthesia and analgesia 

Used in 500-66% with Oxygen 

As potency is very low, useed with other anaesthesia agents 

Used in obstetrics for labour pains.