title: Reversal of the anaesthetic action of sodium gamma-hydroxybutyrate.
abstract: Physostigmine was administered intravenously to 25 patients, anaesthetised with sodium gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and their emergence from anesthesia was studied. Physostigmine (2 mg) brought about rapid, safe, reliable and sustained awakening after a "latent period" varying from 2-10 minutes (mean 6-2 minutes+/-S.D. 2-2) in 24 patients. In the one patient not awake at 10 minutes, a second dose of physostigmine produced awakening in an additional 8 minutes. No serious side effects were attributable to the physostigmine. This finding may warrant a reconsideration of the place of GHB in anaesthetic practice.
mesh_terms: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000763:Anesthesia, Caudal; D000765:Anesthesia, Conduction; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal; D003243:Consciousness / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012978:Sodium Oxybate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D012978:Sodium Oxybate; D010830:Physostigmine