Medical Students 
Graduate Medical Education 
Introduction
The ideal intravenous anesthetic would provide hypnosis, amnesia, analgesia, and muscle relaxation without respiratory or cardiovascular depression. Currently, no one IV drug produces all of the above effects without undesired cardiovascular or respiratory depression. More commonly, several drugs are used in combination to provide IV anesthesia. In the following pages, a basic overview of key pharmacologic principles will precede a general overview of the common intravenous anesthetics used in clinical practice today. Since these anesthetics are frequently used in combination, it is imperative that one understands how each anesthetic produces its pharmacologic effect, and how the effects of these drugs are terminated. Also, the versatility of the IV anesthetics allow them to be used in a variety of clinical situations, which again demands a solid understanding of their physiologic effects. The pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, uses and side effects will be discussed for each drug.
