Pharmacologic Substance
methohexital
[ meth-oh-hek-si-tal ]
Brand Names:
Brevital
Effect:
Decreased Medullary Respiratory Drive; General Anesthesia; Increased Central Nervous System GABA Activity; Vasodilation
More Information:
ChemID; DrugBank; DailyMed; PDR
Definitions related to methohexital:
  • A rapid, short-acting barbituric acid derivative, with anesthetic activity. Methohexital binds to the chloride ionophore site of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A/chloride ionophore receptor complex, thereby enhancing the inhibitory actions of GABA-A in the brain. This leads to synaptic inhibition, decreased neuronal excitability, and induction of anesthesia. In addition, this agent decreases glutamate (Glu) responses.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • An intravenous anesthetic with a short duration of action that may be used for induction of anesthesia.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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