Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Benzodiazepine, Opioid Analgesic, Used To Induce Anaesthesia, Halothane
Posted on
Tue, 5 Apr 2011
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 5 Apr 2011
Answered on
Wed, 16 May 2012
Last reviewed on
Question : what is the purpose of administering benzodiazepine and an opioid analgesic if halothane is able to induce anaesthesia?
Hello,
Anesthesia is defined as Loss of feeling or awareness.
But during surgical procedures, surgeons prefer to have a patient not able to recollect anything about the procedure, not to feel any pain and also not be able to move any part of the body. This is defined as devoid of memory, complete analgesia and complete paralysis.
There is no single agent that can provide all the three requirements, as different agents have different physical and chemical properties and for different procedures the need for agents used differ.
Hence anesthetists use a combination of agents so that the best possible effect can be used so that the procedure can be sucessful without any adverse effects.
Halothane is a potent anesthetic and is used for induction and recovery of anaesthesia. If needed it can used for maintanance as well depending on the procedure and the duration for which anesthesia is needed.
But it does not have very good analgesic ability ( Is not a good agent to provide pain relief) - Hence a opiod analgesic is used in combination with Halothane.
In addition a a Benzodiazepine is used to provide complete muscle relaxation, since halothane is not efficient enough as a muscle relaxant to be used alone in major surgeries.
Hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Anesthesia is defined as Loss of feeling or awareness.
But during surgical procedures, surgeons prefer to have a patient not able to recollect anything about the procedure, not to feel any pain and also not be able to move any part of the body. This is defined as devoid of memory, complete analgesia and complete paralysis.
There is no single agent that can provide all the three requirements, as different agents have different physical and chemical properties and for different procedures the need for agents used differ.
Hence anesthetists use a combination of agents so that the best possible effect can be used so that the procedure can be sucessful without any adverse effects.
Halothane is a potent anesthetic and is used for induction and recovery of anaesthesia. If needed it can used for maintanance as well depending on the procedure and the duration for which anesthesia is needed.
But it does not have very good analgesic ability ( Is not a good agent to provide pain relief) - Hence a opiod analgesic is used in combination with Halothane.
In addition a a Benzodiazepine is used to provide complete muscle relaxation, since halothane is not efficient enough as a muscle relaxant to be used alone in major surgeries.
Hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
