A Case Report of Suspected Anaphylactic Shock Following Sodium Thiopental Administration in a COVID-19 Patient Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit and Treated with Remdesivir
| Author | Leili Yekefallah | en |
| Author | Hamed Zare | en |
| Author | Hamid Kayalha | en |
| Author | Aliakbar Askarnejad | en |
| Author | Marzieh Sattar | en |
| Orcid | Leili Yekefallah [0000-0001-7425-9451] | en |
| Orcid | Hamed Zare [0009-0007-2070-5488] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-03-31 | en |
| Abstract | Introduction: Severe hypersensitivity reactions to sodium thiopental are rare but documented adverse events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of standard sedative agents prompted the increased use of thiopental as an alternative sedative for intubation in critically ill patients. However, data on the safety of sodium thiopental in COVID-19 patients receiving antiviral therapy, including remdesivir, remain limited. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 93-year-old man admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) for severe COVID-19, presenting with dyspnea, fever, and cough. Remdesivir therapy was initiated for the viral infection. On Day 3, progressive respiratory failure and decreased consciousness necessitated endotracheal intubation. Sodium thiopental (200 mg IV) was administered as an induction agent. Immediately after successful intubation, generalized angioedema and cardiac arrest occurred. Despite immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and epinephrine administration, the patient died after 60 minutes of resuscitation efforts. Conclusions: This case highlights the risk of suspected anaphylaxis after sodium thiopental administration in critically ill patients with COVID-19. Clinicians should exercise caution when selecting sedative agents for intubation in this population, taking into account potential drug interactions and hypersensitivity risk. Further investigation is required. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jid-170150 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jid/articles/170150 | en |
| Keyword | COVID-19 | en |
| Keyword | Anaphylaxis | en |
| Keyword | Thiopental | en |
| Keyword | Remdesivir | en |
| Keyword | Intensive Care Unit | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | A Case Report of Suspected Anaphylactic Shock Following Sodium Thiopental Administration in a COVID-19 Patient Hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit and Treated with Remdesivir | en |
| Type | Case Report | en |
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