Nitrous Oxide

Also known as: Laughing Gas, Nitrogen Monoxide, Dinitrogen oxide

Drug #520

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 anaesthetic, but strong analgesic.it depresses the central nervous system, in low concentration analgesia is the main feature; at higher concentrations, Nitrous Oxide is anaesthetic 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 continous and very widespread use since the earlist days of anesthesia. Nitrous Oxide is usually given with atleast 30% oxygen.

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Primary Characteristics

Nitrous Oxide is also known as Laughing Gas, Nitrogen Monoxide, Dinitrogen oxide.

It is of Synthetic origin and belongs to Oxides.

It belongs to Medical Gases pharmacological group on the basis of mechanism of action. It is also classified under General Anesthetics .

Molecular Weight: 44 · Solubility in Alcohol: freely · Non-proprietary name: Nitrous Oxide.

Pharmacokinetics

Elimination: it is metabolised via Gut, renal excretion is > 70 %.

Indications

Nitrous Oxide is primarily indicated in conditions like Analgesia, Analgesia without loss of consciousness, Dental caries, Maintenance of light anaesthesia, Pain, Surgical anaesthesia.

Nitrous Oxide is also indicated for secondary conditions like Dressing of burns and wounds.

Contraindications

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

Dosage

Nitrous Oxide's dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
50 %	50 %	—	Inhalation	Maintenance, mixed with oxygen
70 %	70 %	—	Inhalation	Initial, mixed with 30% oxygen
Paediatric Dosage (20kg)
No data.
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
No data.

Drug Interactions

Unknown11 interactions

Always consult your physician for the change of dose regimen or an alternative drug of choice that may strictly be required.

Side Effects

Nitrous Oxide in overdosage may give rise to further complications which include Peripheral neuropathy , Atonia .

Nitrous Oxide produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Aplastic Anemia , Granulocytopenia , Aplastic anemia. Careful monitoring is needed with proper medical management.

The signs and symptoms that are produced after acute overdosage of Nitrous Oxide are Hypoxia.

Nitrous Oxide is known to cause more or less tolerable side effects which are usually transient. These include Lack of concentration, Nausea and vomiting, Numbness , Paresthesias.

Warnings / Precautions

Nitrous oxide should always be administered with atleast 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. Anaesthetics should be given with caution in patients with cardiac, respiratory, renal or hepatic (liver) impairment.

Available Brands

None recorded.

Storage Conditions

Nitrous Oxide should be stored Inhaler.

Drug Classification

1.1.1.2 — Inhalational anesthetics