title: Controlled sedation with alphaxalone-alphadolone.
abstract: Alphaxalone-alphadolone (Althesin), diluted and administered as a controlled infusion, was used as a sedative for 30 patients in an intensive therapy unit. This technique allowed rapid and accurate control of the level of sedation. It had three particularly useful applications: it provided "light sleep," allowed rapid variation in the level of sedation, and enabled repeated assessment of the central nervous system.Sedation was satisfactory for 86% of the total time, and no serious complications were attributed to the use of the drug. Furthermore, though alphaxalone-alphadolone was given for periods up to 20 days there was no evidence of tachyphylaxis or delay in recovery time.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002496:Central Venous Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006914:Hydroxysteroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011277:Pregnanediones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013618:Tachyphylaxis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D006914:Hydroxysteroids; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011277:Pregnanediones