thiopental sodium (thye-oh-PEN-tal)
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection
It does not contain all the available information.
It does not take the place of talking with your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of your treatment using Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is used for
Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is used as a general anaesthetic, or to make you sleepy before using another anaesthetic agent, or to control seizures.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called barbiturates.
This medicine works as a short acting depressant of the nervous system, which is composed of the brain and spinal cord. It creates a sleep like state and loss of consciousness to prevent pain and discomfort during surgery.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Thiopental is addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Before Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is given
When Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection should not be used
You should not be given Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection if you have an allergy to:
- any other barbiturates;
- any medicine containing thiopental sodium; or
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
- shortness of breath;
- wheezing or difficulty breathing;
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; or
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
If you are not sure whether you should start using Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection, talk to your doctor.
You should not be given Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection if you have:
- porphyria ; or
- a swollen jaw, mouth or neck.
Do not use Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection after the expiry date printed on the pack. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not use Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Before you are given it
You must tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:
- any other medicines; or
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- low blood pressure;
- liver or kidney disease; or
- heart problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection may interfere with each other. These include:
- medicines used to treat gout, such as probenacid;
- medicines used to widen blood vessels and decrease in blood pressure, such as diazoxide;
- medicines to relieve breathing problems, such as aminophylline;
- ethanol (alcohol);
- medicines used as sedatives or to treat anxiety, such as benzodiazepines;
- medicines used to depress the nervous system which is composed of the brain and spinal cord;
- medicines used to treat pain relief, such as opioids analgesics;
- medicines used to help the kidneys get rid of salt and water by increasing the amount of urine produced, such as diuretics;
- ketamine, an anaesthetic;
- magnesium sulphate;
- medicines used to treat mental illness or psychotic conditions and to relieve severe nausea and vomiting, such as phenothiazine; or
- iodine for thyroid problems.
These medicines may be affected by Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take or use different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist will advise you.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection
How Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is given
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How much is given
Your doctor will decide how much you will receive. The dosage will depend on your condition and other factors such as weight, sex and age.
How it is given
Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is given as an injection (intravenous) into the veins.
Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection should only be given by a doctor or nurse.
If you have any questions about how to use Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are given too much (overdose)
As Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is most likely to be given to you in hospital under the supervision of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive too much.
However, if you experience severe side effects tell your doctor or nurse immediately. If you are not already in hospital, go to the Accident & Emergency Department at your nearest hospital or immediately contact the Poisons Information Centre for advice on overdose (In Australia, call 13 11 26).
Symptoms of Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection overdose include the side effects listed below in the ‘Side Effects’ section, but are usually of a more severe nature.
While you are being given Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you have been given Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for Injection.
Tell any other doctors, dentists, and pharmacists who treat you that you have been given this medicine.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you have been given this medicine. It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection affects you.
This medicine may affect alertness and tasks requiring co-ordination in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are being given this medicine. If you drink alcohol, impairment of motor skills may be worse.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Some self help measures suggested below may help your condition. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you more information about these measures.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is being given to you.
This medicine helps most people, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- involuntary muscle movements;
- coughing;
- hiccups;
- sneezing; or
- shivering.
Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of the following:
- allergic reactions, including sudden life-threatening allergic reactions;
- itchy rash;
- shallow breathing;
- changes in heart rate (fast, slow or irregular);
- prolonged sleepiness or recovery;
- low blood pressure; or
- difficulty in breathing.
The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After using Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection
Storage
Store unopened Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection ampoules in a cool dry place, where the temperature stays below 25 °C.
Do not store Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car on hot days. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop using Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection or if it has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that is left over.
Product Description
What it looks like
Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is a yellowish powder.
Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection comes in vials and is supplied in boxes containing 1*, 10*, 25, 50* or 100* ampoules. *Not all pack sizes may be available.
Ingredients
Active ingredient:
- Thiopental sodium
Other ingredients:
- Anhydrous sodium carbonate.
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo dyes.
Supplier:
Omegapharm Thiopental sodium powder for injection is supplied in Australia by:
Omegapharm Pty Ltd
P O Box 18
Ormond, Victoria 3204
AUSTRALIA
Australian Registration Number:
470 mg AUST R 209478
This leaflet was prepared in October 2019.
Published by MIMS July 2022