Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP
Serious warnings and precautions box
What Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP is used for:
Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP is an anesthetic that is used in adults:
- to help make you unconscious (asleep) for a short surgery or other medical procedure.
- with other anesthetics to help keep you asleep when used for a short surgery.
How Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP works:
Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP belongs to a group of medicines called general anesthetics. These types of medicines work by causing a loss of feeling and awareness and causes you to fall asleep.
The ingredients in Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP are:
Medicinal ingredient(s): methohexital sodium
Non-medicinal ingredients: sodium carbonate anhydrous and sodium hydroxide
Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP comes in the following dosage form(s):
Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP is available as a powder for solution; 500 mg per vial.
Do not use Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP if:
- You are allergic to methohexital sodium or to any of the ingredients in Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP.
- You are allergic to barbiturates.
- You have been told you should not receive general anesthesia.
- You have porphyria (a genetic disorder that can cause nervous system, blood, and skin problems).
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:
- Have problems with your:
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- lungs,
- heart,
- liver,
- kidneys, or
- endocrine system;
- Have a seizure disorder or a history of seizures;
- Have asthma;
- Have high blood pressure or low blood pressure;
- Have severe anemia (low iron in blood);
- Are obese;
Are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant;
- Are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed for at least 24 hours after receiving Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP.
Other warnings you should know about:
Monitoring: Your healthcare professional will monitor your health while you receive Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP. Your healthcare professional will monitor your:
- breathing
- blood pressure
- heart rate
Driving and using machines: Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP may cause you to feel drowsy. You should not drive or operate machinery for 8 to 12 hours after your procedure and until all of the effects have worn off.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP:
- Other drugs that fall under the “barbiturate” class of medicines (commonly ending in “-tal” or “-one”)
- Other anesthetics
- Drugs used to treat seizures including phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, sodium valproate, and valproic acid)
- Drugs used to prevent pregnancy including estradiol, estrone, progesterone, and other steroidal hormones
- Antidepressants, used to treat depression, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Anticoagulants, used to thin the blood and prevent blood clots
Nervous system depressants including alcohol, benzodiazepines, hypnotics, antihistamines and tranquilizers
- Corticosteroids, used to treat pain, redness, swelling and inflammation
- Doxycycline, used to treat bacterial infections
- Propylene glycol-containing solutions
How to take Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP:
- Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP will be given to you by a healthcare professional who is experienced in the use of general anesthetics. It will be given to you as an injection directly into your vein.
Usual dose:
Your healthcare professional will decide on the dose that is right for you based on your health and the type of medical procedure you are having.
Overdose:
| Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP is given to you by a healthcare professional. The healthcare professional will care for you in the event of an overdose. |
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Possible side effects from using Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
Side effects may include:
- Pain or discomfort along the vein where the injection was given
- Anxiety
- Muscle twitching
- Hiccups
- Cough
- Too much saliva
- Stuffy nose
- Dry mouth
- Leakage of fluid from injection site that might cause skin irritation or swelling
- Headache
- Confusion
- Feeling tired
- Upset stomach
- Stomach pain
- Blushing or rosy cheeks
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash, itchy skin
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Get immediate medical help | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| Unknown | |||
| Allergic Reaction: difficulty swallowing or breathing, wheezing, feeling sick to your stomach and throwing up, hives or rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat | X | ||
| Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms): rapid, slow or irregular heartbeat | X | ||
| Breathing problems: difficulty breathing, wheezing or whistling sound when breathing, shortness of breath, slow, shallow or weak breathing, breathing stops for a short period of time, fast or deep breathing | X | ||
| Cardiac arrest (heart suddenly stops beating): fatigue, loss of consciousness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, nausea, chest pain, or heart palpitations | X | ||
| Dystonia: twisting movements that you cannot control and can affect posture or the face including eyes, mouth, tongue or jaw, tightness of the throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing which may lead to choking | X | ||
| Hypotension (low blood pressure): dizziness, fainting, light-headedness, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, fatigue (may occur when you go from lying or sitting to standing up) | X | ||
| Seizures: muscle twitching, changes in emotions, confusion, uncontrollable shaking with or without loss of consciousness | X | ||
| Thrombophlebitis: swelling and redness along a vein which is extremely tender or painful when touched | X | ||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
Storage:
Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP will be stored at the hospital or clinic where you are having the surgery or medical procedure.
If you want more information about Methohexital Sodium for Injection USP:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.sterimaxinc.com; or by calling 1-800-881-3550.
Date of Authorization: 2026-09-14