Reversal of the anaesthetic action of sodium gamma hydroxybutyrate

Abstract

Physostigmine was administered intravenously to 25 patients, anaesthetised with sodium gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and their emergence from anaesthesia was studied. Physostigmine (2 mg) brought about rapid, safe, reliable and sustained awakening after a 'latent period' varying from 2-10 minutes (mean 6.2 minutes±S.D. 2.2) in 24 patients. In the one patient not awake at 10 minutes, a second dose of physostigmine produced awakening in an additional 8 minutes. No serious side effects were atrributable to the physostigmine. This finding may warrant a reconsideration of the place of GHB in anaesthetic practice.