Halothane

Halothane, sold under the brandname Fluothane among others, is a general anesthetic. It can be used to start or maintain anaesthesia.

Halothane

Halothane; Fluothane; Narcotane; Rhodialothan; 2-BROMO-2-CHLORO-1,1,1-TRIFLUOROETHANE; Narcotan

Fluothane, Halothane, Hypnothane

2-bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane

NA

Halothane is a general inhalation anesthetic used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It reduces the blood pressure and frequently decreases the pulse rate and depresses respiration. It reduces pains sensitivity and induces muscle relaxation by altering tissue excitability. It does so by decreasing the extent of gap junction mediated cell-cell coupling and altering the activity of the channels that underlie the action potential.

Inhalation Induction- 2-4% v/v in O2 or mixtures of nitrous oxide and O2. Maintenance: 0.5-2% v/v depending on the flow rate used.

For the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia

Bradycardia, pulmonary oedema, hypotension, fulminant hepatic failure, cardiac arrhythmias, shivering during recovery (occasional), hepatitis (multiple exposure), malignant hyperpyrexia and respiratory depression.

• Adrenaline, other sympathomimetics, and theophylline can produce cardiac arrhythmias.
• Morphine and chlorpromazine may increase depressant effects of halothane on respiration.
•  Midazolam may potentiate the anaesthetic action of halothane.
• Increased risk of phenytoin intoxication when used together.
• Dopaminergics increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Neuromuscular blocking drugs are potentiated by halothane.

Obstetrics; malignant hyperthermia; porphyria

Store at 15-25 ?

Molecular weight

197.382

Molecular formula

C2HBrClF3

CAS number

151-67-7

Precautions

• Phaeochromocytoma; poor cardiac/liver function, early pregnancy.
• May increase intracranial pressure and trigger malignant hyperthermia.
• Premedication with atropine is recommended to decrease vagal tone and prevent bradycardia and severe hypotension.
• Increased risk of hyperkalaemia in paediatrics with underlying neuromuscular disorders.
• May reduce hepatic, renal and splenic blood flow.