Halothane vapour (or
Fluothane) is an inhalational
general
anaesthetic. Its
systematic name is
2-Bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane. It is the only inhalational
anaesthetic agent containing a
bromine atom. It is
colourless and pleasant-smelling, but unstable in light. It is packaged in
dark-coloured bottles and contains 0.01%
thymol as a stabilising agent
Adverse effects
All volatile anaesthetics such as halothane can trigger
malignant
hyperthermia in genetically susceptible individuals. The caffeine-halothane
contracture test was developed to directly test muscle biopsy specimens for this
susceptibility. This test may be replaced by genetic testing in the future.
Related substances
Chemically, halothane is not an
ether.
Attempts to find anaesthetics with less metabolism led to
halogenated
ethers such as
enflurane and
isoflurane. The incidence of
hepatic reactions with these agents is lower. The exact degree of
hepatotoxic potential of
enflurane is debated, although it is minimally metabolised. Isoflurane is
essentially not metabolised and reports of associated liver injury are quite
rare.
-------
for more information
http://medind.nic.in/iad/t04/i5/iadt04i5p340.pdf
02.02.08 5:57