Predicted effect compartment concentration of thiopental at loss of eyelash reflex

We derived the predicted effect compartment concentration of thiopental, at loss of the eyelash reflex, following three different injection regimens. Sixty patients were given thiopental for induction of anaesthesia. Twenty patients received multiple small boluses, 20 patients received a single bolus and 20 patients received an infusion. Computer simulation was then used to derive the effect compartment concentration. The median concentration was not significantly different between the three groups. EC50, derived after combining all three groups was 11.3 μg ml−1. The EC05–EC95 range was 6.9–18.3 μg ml−1, suggesting wide inter-individual variation.