What is the adult dose of etomidate for intubation?

The adult dose of etomidate for intubation is typically 0.3 mg/kg. This dosage is established based on etomidate's pharmacokinetic properties, which provide rapid sedation with minimal cardiovascular effects, making it particularly useful in emergency settings.

At this dosage, etomidate effectively induces anesthesia without the high risk of hemodynamic instability often associated with other sedative agents. It is important in emergency intubations where maintaining the stability of the patient's cardiovascular system is critical. In practice, clinicians will calculate the dose based on the patient’s weight to ensure accurate administration, and careful monitoring is essential to manage any potential adverse effects, even at the recommended dosages. Other dosages listed may not provide the necessary rapid sedation while maintaining safety profiles, which is a priority in critical care scenarios.