Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, slightly sweet-smelling gas, which is non- irritant, stable and relatively inert at room temperature. Nitrous Oxide is a week anesthetic, but strong analgesic. It depresses the central nervous system, in low concentration analgesia is the main feature; at higher concentrations, Nitrous Oxide is anesthetic in susceptible individuals. Nitrous oxide was first use as an anesthetic in 1844, in the USA for the purpose of dental extraction and has remained in continuous and very widespread use since the earliest days of anesthesia. Nitrous Oxide is usually given with at least 30% oxygen.

Nitrous Oxide is primarily indicated in conditions like Analgesia, Analgesia without loss of consciousness, Dental caries, Maintenance of light anaesthesia, Pain, Surgical anaesthesia, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Dressing of burns and wounds.

Nitrous Oxide is contraindicated in conditions like Intracranial air, Tension pneumothorax, Air embolus.

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Nitrous Oxide, which give rise to further complications include Peripheral neuropathy, Atonia. Nitrous Oxide produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Aplastic Anemia, Aplastic anemia, Granulocytopenia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Nitrous Oxide therapy. The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Nitrous Oxide include Hypoxia. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Nitrous Oxide are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea and vomiting, Numbness, Paresthesias, Lack of concentration.

Nitrous oxide should always be administered with at least 20 to 30% oxygen. Care is required in patients during or after air encephalography. Mixture of equal part of nitrous oxide or oxygen should not be used for analgesia in patients with head injuries. Patients should observed caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, because may cause drowsiness. Patients with chronic disease such as diabetes or hypertension may require adjustment to their therapy before anesthesia. Anesthetics should be given with caution in patients with cardiac, respiratory, renal or hepatic (liver) impairment.

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, and Cardiac / Hypertensive Patients. If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.

30 to 70 % (50 (50)) As recommended. Inhalation — Maintenance, mixed with oxygen 70 % (70 (70)) As recommended. Inhalation — Initial, mixed with 30% oxygen

No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.

Nitrous Oxide is known to interact with other drugs, the details of drug interactions is as follows:DrugDetailsSeverityOnsetManagementEnfluraneEnfluraneFentanyl (Citrate)HalothaneHalothaneIsofluraneMethotrexateMorphinePancuronium (Br)Pethidine (HCl)Thiopentone (Na) These interactions are sometimes beneficial and sometimes may pose threats to life. Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Inhaler Store Below 25°C.