Abstract
Intravenous general anaesthetics are still and predominantly perceived as "induction agents", i.e. drugs intended to induce general anaesthesia. This indication traditionally includes thiopental, propofol, etomidate, and ketamine.
Their pharmacological properties allow propofol and ketamine to be used for infusion analgosedation. They are even prescribed outside the field of anaesthesiology, particularly in intensive medicine and care.
Selectively, alternative options are used in addition to intravenous administration. In the current concept of combined anaesthesia, balanced general anaesthesia, and analgosedation, the traditional intravenous general anaesthetics are closely coupled with midazolam and dexmedetomidine with an anxiolytic and controllable sedative action.
This brief review article deals with essential insights, relevant for pharmacologists, as well as an account of clinically important properties, effects, and delimitations.