Minaxolone: an evaluation with and without premedication.

Minaxolone, a water-soluble steroid intravenous anaesthetic, has been used in clinical trials for induction and maintenance in patients presenting for minor operations. A standard induction dose of 0.5 mg/kg was given. There was a low incidence of pain on injection and venous sequelae. Excitatory effects occurred commonly at induction but these were reduced by opiate premedication. The frequency of uneventful induction was significantly greater when the 5 mg/ml solution of minaxolone was given at a rate of 6 ml/minute than at a rate of 24 ml/minute. Minaxolone has been withdrawn from clinical trials following equivocal toxicological findings in rats which require further investigation.