Isoflurane

Isoflurane is a volatile, halogenated anesthetic which improves the activity of neuronal ion channels, especially the fast synaptic neurotransmitter receptors. It is used to depress myocardial contractility, decreasing blood pressure through a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and decreasing the sympathetic efferent nerve activity.

Use this medication precisely as recommended by your physician. Follow the prescription of your doctor carefully.

The medication dose given by your physician is based on your health conditions, other medications or food supplements taken, and your reaction to the treatment. To diminish risks for adverse effects, do not increase your dosage, thus take it regularly, or take it as instructed by your physician. Adverse events may still happen even at usual prescription dosages.

If your physician requests you to use this drug consistently, take it regularly to get the most benefits from it. To make you remember it better, take it at a fixed time every day.

Your doctor may need to modify your dosages to ease your symptoms or if you develop adverse reactions.

If you have any inquiries with regards to information, ask your physician or pharmacist.

Uses

Isoflurane is used in the following conditions:

Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia

This medicine may be recommended for different uses. Approach your physician or pharmacist for more information.

Warnings

Do not use Isoflurane in people with the following conditions:

Genetic susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia

Side Effects

Isoflurane may have the following side effects:

QT prolongation
Cardiac steal
Reflex tachycardia
Myocardial infarction
Increased liver enzymes
Bronchospasm
Depression
Increased intracranial pressure
Decreased hepatic, renal and splenic blood flow
Laryngospasm
Carboxyhemoglobinemia (rare)
Seizures
Mood changes
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Nausea
Vomiting
Breath-holding
Cough
Myoglobinuria
Increased creatinine kinase
Shivering

Potentially fatal:

Malignant hyperthermia

Rare:

Cardiac arrhythmias
Hepatic necrosis
Perioperative hyperkalemia

Keep in mind that your physician has recommended this drug since he or she has known that the advantage to you is more significant than the risk of adverse reactions. Many individuals utilizing this medicine don’t have serious side effects.

A severe allergy to this medication is uncommon. In any case, seek emergency medical help if you see any manifestations of a serious allergic response, including a rash, tingling or swelling particularly of the face or tongue or throat, dizziness or difficulty in breathing.

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you see other effects not recorded above, contact your physician or pharmacist.

Precautions

Take extra caution in patients with the following medical conditions:

Patient with raised intracranial pressure
Risk of QT prolongation and bronchoconstriction
Coronary artery disease
Hypotension
Hypovolemia
Neuromuscular disease
Hemodynamically compromised and debilitated patients
Children lower than 3 years old should take extra caution
Hepatic impairment
Pregnancy and lactation
Do not allow carbon dioxide absorbents in anesthetic apparatus to dry out when delivering isoflurane to minimize the risk of developing carboxyhemoglobinemia.

Prior in taking this medicine, tell your physician or pharmacist if you have allergies or other hypersensitivity reactions with the drug. This drug may contain inert ingredients which can cause unfavorable side effects or different issues. Talk with your pharmacist for more information.

Interactions

Isoflurane may interact with the following medicines:

Nitrous oxide
Narcotic medications
Sympathomimetics
Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers

Inform your physician about the drugs you take including over-the-counter medications, prescribed drugs, supplements and vitamins.

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Approach your physician or pharmacist for more details.

The effects of certain medications can change if you consume different medications or herbal products simultaneously. This can build your risk for side effects or may cause your drugs not to work effectively. These interactions are possible, yet don’t generally happen. Your physician or pharmacist can prevent or oversee interactions by changing how you utilize your prescriptions or by close checking.

While utilizing this drug, don’t start, stop, or change the dose of other medicines you are using without your physician’s advice.

Overdose & Brands

If you think you have used Isoflurane more than the usual dosage, please seek medical help immediately.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

Hypotension
Respiratory depression

Available Brands:

Florane
Forane
Isocane
Isorane
Pascual Isoflurane
Philippine Pharmawealth/Minrad Isoflurane
Terrell