Saturday, September 12, 2015

Historical Medication: Sombulex

Hexobarbital (as known in the U.S.A.), or hexobarbitone (as known elsewhere), sold both in acid and sodium salt forms as Citopan, Evipan, and Tobinal (usually in 250-mgm. strength tablets), is a barbiturate derivative having hypnotic and sedative effects. It was used in the 1940s-1950s as an agent for inducing anesthesia for surgery, as well as a rapid-acting, short-lasting hypnotic for general use, and has a relatively fast onset of effects and short duration of action. However it can be difficult to control the depth of anesthesia with hexobarbital which makes it quite dangerous, and it has now been replaced by safer drugs in human medicine, usually thiopental would be the barbiturate of choice for this application these days. Hexobarbital is still used in some scientific research.


This image was found HERE.

Sombulex - General Information:

A barbiturate that is effective as a hypnotic and sedative.  

Pharmacology:

Sombulex is a barbiturate derivative having hypnotic and sedative effects. It was used in the 1940s-1950s as an agent for inducing anesthesia for surgery and has a relatively fast onset of effects and short duration of action. However it can be difficult to control the depth of anesthesia with hexobarbital which makes it quite dangerous, and it has now been replaced by safer drugs in human medicine, usually thiopental would be the barbiturate of choice for this application these days.

Sombulex Interactions:

Barbiturates may decrease the effectiveness of oral contraceptives, certain antibiotics, quinidine, theophylline, corticosteroids, anticoagulants, and beta blockers.
Sombulex Contraindications

Additional information about Sombulex:

Sombulex Indication: For the induction of anesthesia prior to the use of other general anesthetic agents and for induction of anesthesia for short surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures associated with minimal painful stimuli.

Mechanism Of Action: 

Sombulex binds at a distinct binding site associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABA-A receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged.

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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Very cool post! These types of things are so interesting (IMO anyway).