enfluraan

Enflurane is a volatile anesthetic agent that was used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It is a halogenated ether with the chemical formula C3H2ClF5O. Enflurane is a clear, colorless liquid with a sweet, ethereal odor. It is non-flammable and non-explosive.

The anesthetic properties of enflurane are thought to be due to its interaction with ion channels in the central nervous system, particularly GABA receptors. It causes dose-dependent depression of the central nervous system, leading to loss of consciousness, amnesia, analgesia, and muscle relaxation. Enflurane is administered by inhalation, typically mixed with oxygen and nitrous oxide.

Enflurane was introduced in the 1970s and was widely used for many years. It offered advantages over older anesthetics, such as a smoother induction and emergence from anesthesia, and a lower incidence of nausea and vomiting. However, its use has declined with the advent of newer anesthetic agents like sevoflurane and desflurane, which have more favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and fewer potential side effects.

Potential side effects of enflurane include respiratory depression, cardiovascular depression, and malignant hyperthermia in susceptible individuals. It can also cause transient increases in liver enzymes. Enflurane is metabolized by the liver to a small extent, and its metabolites are primarily excreted in the urine. Due to concerns about potential nephrotoxicity from fluoride release, and the availability of newer agents, enflurane is rarely used in clinical practice today in many parts of the world.