💨 Sevoflurane – Liquid for Inhalation (Inhalation Anesthetic)
📝 Prescription Information
- Generic Name: Sevoflurane
- Brand Names: Ultane, Sevorane, Sojourn
- Form: Liquid for vaporization and inhalation
- Concentration: 100% sevoflurane (used with precision vaporizer)
- Packaging: Amber-colored bottles (commonly 250 mL)
- Schedule: Prescription-only medicine (POM)
- Route: Inhalation via anesthesia machine
💊 Uses of Sevoflurane
Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic agent used for:
- Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
- Pediatric anesthesia – due to its non-irritating smell
- Outpatient surgeries – rapid onset and recovery
- Combined anesthesia – used with oxygen, nitrous oxide, or IV agents
🌿 Nature of Sevoflurane
- Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
- Odor: Mild, non-pungent – especially suitable for children
- Boiling Point: ~58.5°C
- Chemical Class: Fluorinated methyl isopropyl ether
- Solubility: Low blood-gas partition coefficient (~0.65) → rapid onset/offset
- Stability: Chemically stable; degrades in soda lime to Compound A (minimally nephrotoxic in animals)
- Delivery Method: Administered through a precision vaporizer in anesthesia machines
✅ Advantages of Sevoflurane
- Rapid Induction & Recovery
- Ideal for day-case surgeries and outpatient anesthesia.
- Non-Irritating Odor
- Well tolerated by children for mask induction.
- Smooth Emergence
- Minimal agitation or delirium during recovery.
- Easily Titrated
- Depth of anesthesia can be adjusted quickly.
- Minimal Cardiovascular Depression
- Stable hemodynamics compared to some agents.
- Low Blood-Gas Solubility
- Allows tight control of anesthetic depth.
- Wide Safety Margin
- Suitable for a broad range of patients.
⚠️ Precautions
- Nephrotoxicity (Rare)
- Degradation product Compound A shown to be nephrotoxic in rats; low relevance in humans, but caution advised during low-flow anesthesia.
- Malignant Hyperthermia Risk
- Avoid in patients with known susceptibility.
- Increased Intracranial Pressure
- Use with caution in patients with head trauma or brain tumors.
- Post-Op Nausea/Vomiting (PONV)
- Can occur, especially without antiemetics.
- Hepatic Impairment
- Rare cases of hepatotoxicity reported.
- Airway Irritation
- Although less than other agents, some airway irritation may occur during maintenance.
- Requires Equipment
- Only to be used with precision vaporizers in a controlled setting (e.g., operating rooms).
📦 Common Packaging
- Amber glass bottles or sealed aluminum containers
- Volume: 250 mL
- Concentration: 100% Sevoflurane
🧪 Storage
- Store below 25°C in tightly sealed containers
- Keep away from direct sunlight and heat
- Non-flammable but supports combustion