On this page

Etomidate

Prescription ANDA TE AP Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
Etomidate
Generic name
Etomidate
Dosage form
Injection, Solution
Route
Intravenous
Marketing category
ANDA · ANDA
Labeler
Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
3
NDC product codes
11
Packages
12
Data completeness
82% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Etomidate 2 mg/mL 1654006 View
Etomidate 20 mg/10mL 1654006 View
Etomidate 40 mg/20mL 1654006 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Injection, Solution
Route of administration
Intravenous
Presentations
23

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
General Anesthesia [PE] PE All 29 members
General Anesthetic [EPC] EPC All 17 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
215028
Application type
ANDA · Abbreviated New Drug Application
Approval date
December 18, 2020
Sponsor
CAPLIN
Products on application
1
Submissions recorded
1
Products approved under application 215028.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
215028-001 ETOMIDATE INJECTABLE ETOMIDATE Prescription AP

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AP
Reference Listed Drug
No
Reference Standard
No

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated (parenteral aqueous solutions)

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 215028.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Original application 1 Approved December 18, 2020 Standard

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20260205). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20260205 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20230705 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20230515 HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20220409

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Etomidate injection is indicated by intravenous injection for the induction of general anesthesia. When considering use of etomidate injection, the usefulness of its hemodynamic properties (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ) should be weighed against the high frequency of transient skeletal muscle movements (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ) . Intravenous etomidate injection is also indicated for the supplementation of subpotent anesthetic agents, such as nitrous oxide in oxygen, during maintenance of anesthesia for short operative procedures such as dilation and curettage or cervical conization.

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Do not administer unless solution is clear and container is undamaged. Discard unused portion (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). Etomidate Injection is intended for administration only by the intravenous route (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). The dose for induction of anesthesia in adult patients and in pediatric patients above the age of ten (10) years will vary between 0.2 mg/kg and 0.6 mg/kg of body weight, and it must be individualized in each case. The usual dose for induction in these patients is 0.3 mg/kg, injected over a period of 30 to 60 seconds. There are inadequate data to make dosage recommendations for induction of anesthesia in patients below the age of ten (10) years; therefore, such use is not recommended. Geriatric patients may require reduced doses of etomidate. Smaller increments of intravenous etomidate may be administered to adult patients during short operative procedures to supplement subpotent anesthetic agents, such as nitrous oxide. The dosage employed under these circumstances, although usually smaller than the original induction dose, must be individualized. There are insufficient data to support this use of etomidate for longer adult procedures or for any procedures in pediatric patients; therefore, such use is not recommended. The use of intravenous fentanyl and other neuroactive drugs employed during the conduct of anesthesia may alter the etomidate dosage requirements. Consult the prescribing information for all other such drugs before using. Premedication: Etomidate Injection is compatible with commonly administered pre-anesthetic medications, which may be employed as indicated. See also CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY , ADVERSE REACTIONS , and dosage recommendations for maintenance of anesthesia. Etomidate Injection anesthesia does not significantly alter the usual dosage requirements of neuromuscular blocking agents employed for endotracheal intubation or other purposes shortly after induction of anesthesia. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. To prevent needle-stick injuries, needles should not be recapped, purposely bent, or broken by hand.

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

CONTRAINDICATIONS Etomidate is contraindicated in patients who have shown hypersensitivity to it.

WARNINGS INTRAVENOUS ETOMIDATE SHOULD BE ADMINISTERED ONLY BY PERSONS TRAINED IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF GENERAL ANESTHETICS AND IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COMPLICATIONS ENCOUNTERED DURING THE CONDUCT OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA. BECAUSE OF THE HAZARDS OF PROLONGED SUPPRESSION OF ENDOGENOUS CORTISOL AND ALDOSTERONE PRODUCTION, THIS FORMULATION IS NOT INTENDED FOR ADMINISTRATION BY PROLONGED INFUSION. Pediatric Neurotoxicity: Published animal studies demonstrate that the administration of anesthetic and sedation drugs that block NMDA receptors and/or potentiate GABA activity increase neuronal apoptosis in the developing brain and result in long-term cognitive deficits when used for longer than 3 hours. The clinical significance of these findings is not clear. However, based on the available data, the window of vulnerability to these changes is believed to correlate with exposures in the third trimester of gestation through the first several months of life, but may extend out to approximately three years of age in humans (see PRECAUTIONS / Pregnancy , Pediatric Use , ANIMAL PHARMACOLOGY AND/OR TOXICOLOGY ). Some published studies in children suggest that similar deficits may occur after repeated or prolonged exposures to anesthetic agents early in life and may result in adverse cognitive or behavioral effects. These studies have substantial limitations, and it is not clear if the observed effects are due to the anesthetic/sedation drug administration or other factors such as the surgery or underlying illness. Anesthetic and sedation drugs are a necessary part of the care of children needing surgery, other procedures, or tests that cannot be delayed, and no specific medications have been shown to be safer than any other. Decisions regarding the timing of any elective procedures requiring anesthesia should take into consideration the benefits of the procedure weighed against the potential risks.

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequent adverse reactions associated with use of intravenous etomidate are transient venous pain on injection and transient skeletal muscle movements, including myoclonus: • Transient venous pain was observed immediately following intravenous injection of etomidate in about 20% of the patients, with considerable difference in the reported incidence (1.2% to 42%). This pain is usually described as mild to moderate in severity but it is occasionally judged disturbing. The observation of venous pain is not associated with a more than usual incidence of thrombosis or thrombophlebitis at the injection site. Pain also appears to be less frequently noted when larger, more proximal arm veins are employed and it appears to be more frequently noted when smaller, more distal, hand or wrist veins are employed. • Transient skeletal muscle movements were noted following use of intravenous etomidate in about 32% of the patients, with considerable difference in the reported incidence (22.7% to 63%). Most of these observations were judged mild to moderate in severity but some were judged disturbing. The incidence of disturbing movements was less when 0.1 mg of fentanyl was given immediately before induction. These movements have been classified as myoclonic in the majority of cases (74%), but averting movements (7%), tonic movements (10%), and eye movements (9%) have also been reported. No exact classification is available, but these movements may also be placed into three groups by location: • Most movements are bilateral. The arms, legs, shoulders, neck, chest wall, trunk and all four extremities have been described in some cases, with one or more of these muscle groups predominating in each individual case. Results of electroencephalographic studies suggest that these muscle movements are a manifestation of disinhibition of cortical activity; cortical electroencephalograms, taken during periods when these muscle movements were observed, have failed to reveal seizure activity. • Other movements are described as either unilateral or having a predominance of activity of one side over the other. These movements sometimes resemble a localized response to some stimuli, such as venous pain on injection, in the lightly anesthetized patient (averting movements). Any muscle group or groups may be involved, but a predominance of movement of the arm in which the intravenous infusion is started is frequently noted. • Still other movements probably represent a mixture of the first two types. Skeletal muscle movements appear to be more frequent in patients who also manifest venous pain on injection. Other Adverse Observations Respiratory System: Hyperventilation, hypoventilation, apnea of short duration (5 to 90 seconds with spontaneous recovery); laryngospasm, hiccup and snoring suggestive of partial upper airway obstruction have been observed in some patients. These conditions were managed by conventional countermeasures. Circulatory System: Hypertension, hypotension, tachycardia, bradycardia and other arrhythmias have occasionally been observed during induction and maintenance of anesthesia. One case of severe hypotension and tachycardia, judged to be anaphylactoid in character, has been reported. Geriatric patients, particularly those with hypertension, may be at increased risk for the development of cardiac depression following etomidate administration (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). Gastrointestinal System: Postoperative nausea and/or vomiting following induction of anesthesia with etomidate is probably no more frequent than the general incidence. When etomidate was used for both induction and maintenance of anesthesia in short procedures such as dilation and curettage, or when insufficient analgesia was provided, the incidence of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting was higher than that noted in control patients who received thiopental. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-877-446- …

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

DESCRIPTION Etomidate Injection, USP is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, clear, colorless solution, free from visible particles. Each milliliter contains etomidate USP 2 mg, propylene glycol 35% v/v. The pH is 6.0 (4.0 to 7.0). It is intended for the induction of general anesthesia by intravenous injection. The drug etomidate is chemically identified as (R)-(+)-ethyl-1-(1-phenylethyl)-1H-imidazole-5-carboxylate and has the following structural formula: Etomidate USP is a white or almost white powder. Etomidate Chemical Structure

OVERDOSAGE Overdosage may occur from too rapid or repeated injections. Too rapid injection may be followed by a fall in blood pressure. No adverse cardiovascular or respiratory effects attributable to etomidate overdose have been reported. In the event of suspected or apparent overdosage, the drug should be discontinued, a patent airway established (intubate, if necessary) or maintained and oxygen administered with assisted ventilation, if necessary.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

HOW SUPPLIED Etomidate Injection, USP is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, clear, colorless solution, free from visible particles and is supplied as follows: Etomidate Injection, USP is supplied in the following dosage forms. NDC 51662-1542-1 ETOMIDATE INJECTION, USP 40mg PER 20mL (2mg/mL) 20mL VIAL HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst Mukilteo, WA 98275 Also supplied in the following manufacture supplied dosage forms Etomidate Injection, USP is a sterile, non-pyrogenic, clear, colorless solution, free from visible particles and is supplied as follows: 20 mg per 10 mL (2 mg / mL) 10 mL Single-Dose Vials in a Carton of 10 NDC 55150-221-10 40 mg per 20 mL (2 mg / mL) 20 mL Single-Dose Vials in a Carton of 10 NDC 55150-222-20 Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. The vial stoppers are not made with natural rubber latex.

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
2,215
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: ETOMIDATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
72485-508-10 72485-508 Armas Pharmaceuticals Inc. 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (72485-508-10) / 10 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (72485-508-01) January 22, 2024
72485-509-10 72485-509 Armas Pharmaceuticals Inc. 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (72485-509-10) / 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (72485-509-01) January 22, 2024
65145-127-10 65145-127 Caplin Steriles Limited 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (65145-127-10) / 10 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (65145-127-01) February 5, 2026
65145-128-10 65145-128 Caplin Steriles Limited 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (65145-128-10) / 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (65145-128-01) February 5, 2026
55150-221-10 55150-221 Eugia US LLC 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (55150-221-10) / 10 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE February 24, 2017
55150-222-20 55150-222 Eugia US LLC 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (55150-222-20) / 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE February 24, 2017
65219-445-10 65219-445 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (65219-445-10) / 10 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (65219-445-01) August 1, 2021
65219-445-22 65219-445 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (65219-445-22) / 10 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (65219-445-12) October 1, 2023
65219-447-20 65219-447 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC 10 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE in 1 CARTON (65219-447-20) / 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (65219-447-02) August 1, 2021
51662-1542-1 51662-1542 HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst 20 mL in 1 VIAL, SINGLE-DOSE (51662-1542-1) April 9, 2022
67457-902-10 67457-902 Mylan Institutional LLC 10 VIAL in 1 CARTON (67457-902-10) / 10 mL in 1 VIAL (67457-902-00) March 1, 2019
67457-903-20 67457-903 Mylan Institutional LLC 10 VIAL in 1 CARTON (67457-903-20) / 20 mL in 1 VIAL (67457-903-00) March 1, 2019
72485-508 72485-508 Armas Pharmaceuticals Inc. — January 22, 2024
72485-509 72485-509 Armas Pharmaceuticals Inc. — January 22, 2024
65145-127 65145-127 Caplin Steriles Limited — February 5, 2026
65145-128 65145-128 Caplin Steriles Limited — February 5, 2026
55150-221 55150-221 Eugia US LLC — February 24, 2017
55150-222 55150-222 Eugia US LLC — February 24, 2017
65219-445 65219-445 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC — October 1, 2023
65219-447 65219-447 Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC — August 1, 2021
51662-1542 51662-1542 HF Acquisition Co LLC, DBA HealthFirst — April 9, 2022
67457-902 67457-902 Mylan Institutional LLC — March 1, 2019
67457-903 67457-903 Mylan Institutional LLC — March 1, 2019

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts

Generated September 25, 2026 · 12 sections on this page.