Nitrous oxide

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Sections available in full article Name, Class of drug, Description, Uses, Administration, Routes of administration, Dosage, Pharmocokinetics, Pathological variations, Precautions, Contra-indications, Use with care, Adverse reactions, Sources, Publications,
Contributors Dr Sheilah Robertson BVMS(Hons) PhD DipACVA DipECVA MRCVS

Name

  • Nitrous oxide.

Class of drug

  • Inhalational anesthetic.

Uses

Indications

  • Used with oxygen to carry volatile anesthetics for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. At induction it accelerates the uptake of volatile anesthetics and speeds induction.
  • The minimum anesthetic concentration (MAC) of N2O in dogs is approximately 200, in man it is half of this, therefore in animals there is minimal effect on the MAC of the co-administered inhalent agent.
  • During maintenance it may minimally reduce the inspired concentration of volatile anesthetic required, lowering the adverse effects of the latter General anesthesia: overview.
  • Recovery is more rapid due to less volatile anesthetic being administered over a given time.

Adverse reactions

Other reported reactions

Avoid prolonged exposure of theatre staff to nitrous oxide as it may cause a megaloblastic anaemia due to interference with vitamin B12 Vitamin B12.
Abuse by Humans is a problem.

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