522.2444a—Sodium thiopental for injection.

(a) Specifications. The drug contains sodium thiopental sterile powder for dilution with sterile water for injection.
(b) Sponsor. See No. 000856 in § 510.600(c) of this chapter.
(c) Conditions of use. (1) It is used as an anesthetic for intravenous administration to dogs and cats during short to moderately long surgical and other procedures. It is also used to induce anesthesia in dogs and cats which then have surgical anesthesia maintained by use of a volatile anesthetic.
(2) It is administered as follows:
(i) For brief anesthesia (6 to 10 minutes) a dosage of 6 to 9 milligrams per pound of body weight is suggested.
(ii) To obtain anesthesia of 15 to 25 minutes duration the suggested dosage is 10 to 12 milligrams per pound of body weight.
(iii) Use of a preanesthetic tranquilizer or morphine will decrease the dosage of sodium thiopental required, provide for smoother induction and smoother recovery, and sometimes prolong the recovery period. If morphine is used as a preanesthetic agent the dose of the barbiturate can be reduced as much as 40 to 50 percent. When a tranquilizer is administered the barbiturate dosage can be reduced 10 to 25 percent.
(3) Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.