UMMS Affiliation
Department of Anesthesiology
Date
7-2008
Document Type
Article
Medical Subject Headings
Thiopental; Capital Punishment
Disciplines
Anesthesiology
Abstract
This paper will concentrate on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of thiopental. As applied here, pharmacokinetics is the study of the concentration of thiopental as a function of time in tissues (particularly brain), while pharmacodynamics is the study of the effects of thiopental (particularly the production of unconsciousness and impairment of the heart’s ability to circulate blood). By using generally accepted computer modeling techniques, and considering the wealth of published studies on the pharmacology of thiopental, we can prepare predictions of such relevant parameters as the onset (how long it takes for the inmate to become unconscious) and duration (how long the inmate would remain unconscious) of the pharmacological effects of thiopental.
Comments
Citation: Dershwitz M, Henthorn TK. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of thiopental as used in lethal injection. Fordham Urban Law J 2008; 35:931-56.
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