Etomidate commonly causes pain on intravenous injection in many patients. What is the approximate percentage of patients experiencing this pain?

Etomidate commonly causes pain on intravenous injection in many patients. What is the approximate percentage of patients experiencing this pain?

• A. 10%
• B. 25%
• C. 60%
• D. 80%

Answer: (D)

Etomidate often irritates the veins when given IV, due to its formulation in propylene glycol, leading to a notable amount of injection discomfort. Because of this venous irritation, about four out of five patients experience some pain during IV administration. The pain is typically brief and can be reduced by pretreating with lidocaine, using a larger or more proximal vein, warming or diluting the solution, or slowing the injection. In short, the approximate incidence is around 80%.

Etomidate often irritates the veins when given IV, due to its formulation in propylene glycol, leading to a notable amount of injection discomfort. Because of this venous irritation, about four out of five patients experience some pain during IV administration. The pain is typically brief and can be reduced by pretreating with lidocaine, using a larger or more proximal vein, warming or diluting the solution, or slowing the injection. In short, the approximate incidence is around 80%.