PLASMA LEVELS OF THIOPENTONE AFTER PREMEDICATION WITH RECTAL SUPPOSITORIES IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Summary: The plasma levels of thiopentone in 33 children who had received thiopentone suppositories as premedication showed a correlation with the clinical state at induction. All patients with a level above 2.8 mg/1. were either asleep or adequately sedated. Plasma levels achieved were unlikely to produce signs of overdosage, though elimination from the plasma took more than 24 hours but was complete by 48 hours. In addition to loss of some of the thiopentone by voiding, the variable plasma levels probably resulted from differences in the efficiency of absorption. © 1969 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.