Etomidate, a new water-soluble non-barbiturate intravenous induction agent.

This paper describes clinical experimence, in 100 patients, with the new non-barbiturate, water soluble induction agent, etomidate. This drug produces sleep in one arm/brain circulation-time. There was no effect on pulse-rate, a slight fall in blood-pressure, and a low frequency of apnoea. Involuntary movements were noted, and in some patients these were severe. Etomidate warrants further evaluation as an intravenous induction agent.