What Are the Types of General Anesthetic Drugs?

General anesthetic drugs are divided into intravenous injection anesthetics and inhaled anesthetics. The intravenous anesthetics include etomidate, thiopental sodium, and propofol. The inhaled anesthetics include isoflurane, sevoflurane, halothane, and ether. Both types of anesthetics can achieve the effect within minutes and are very safe. The anesthetic effect disappears within ten to fifteen minutes after the operation, without causing adverse effects on the body.

1. Pethidine: Pethidine is administered to pregnant women one hour or more before delivery. This drug can effectively help pregnant women promote uterine contractions and is more effective for women with difficult delivery or physical weakness. In the pethidine treatment group, there is no significant decrease in uterine muscle tone, and the frequency and intensity of uterine contractions increase significantly.

2. Morphine: Morphine is a clinically potent analgesic anesthetic. The concentration of morphine in the blood-brain barrier of preterm infants is higher than that of pethidine, so it is usually contraindicated during preterm delivery. However, morphine can be used if the condition is severe. Due to the significant impact of morphine on both mother and baby, it is basically no longer used in obstetrics, but it is still commonly used in other departments for more severe diseases.

3. General anesthetics include ketamine and propofol. General anesthetics are administered to patients through intravenous injection or inhalation, directly suppressing and paralyzing the respiratory center. After general anesthesia, patients cannot breathe independently, and tracheal intubation is required to maintain respiratory function. General anesthesia is usually required for open surgery.