A new type of analgesic drug may be a good alternative to opioids for anesthesia and procedural sedation, according to a study in Anesthesia & Analgesia.
Here are three things to know:
1. The new analgesic, Isovaline, acts on one specific type of neuroceptor — the GABAB receptors.
2. Researchers performed a series of studies in mice to see if isovaline could be used instead of opioids for anesthesia.
3. The results show that isovaline doesn't have significant central nervous system effects, and thus, could improve the effectiveness of both propofol and fentanyl.