Assessment of the hypnotic activity of etomidate alone and in combination with either diazepam or thiopentone-sodium in mice

The effect of etomidate alone and in combination with either thiopentone sodium or diazepam was assessed on the sleeping time and muscle strength. The drug was injected intraperitoneally in therapeutic doses in adult albino mice of both sexes and the time for loss and recovery of the righting reflex [R.R.] were recorded. Both drug combinations, according to the results obtained, would give excellent intravenous anaesthesia. However, etomidate-diazeparn would be superior to etomidate-thiopentone, in view of the additive hypno-sedative and myorelaxant properties of diazepam, and the cardio-respiratory depressant potential of thiopentone