Drug reference

Halothane

General Anesthetic · Anesthetic

General AnestheticAnesthetic

CDSCO approvedSchedule H

EXCRETION

—

not curated

INTERACTIONS

12 major

incl. contraindicated

PREGNANCY

—

not curated

Top interactionssee all 12 →

AdrenalineContraindicatedTextbookKDT 7e · p133
AminophyllineSevereDatabaseDDInter
AmiodaroneSevereDatabaseDDInter
AmisulprideSevereDatabaseDDInter

Mechanism

Halothane exerts a stabilizing effect on the postjunctional membrane, thereby potentiating the activity of competitive neuromuscular blocking agents. It is primarily metabolized by cytochrome P-450 2E1 enzymes and undergoes reduction.

Indications

AnesthesiaAdjunct for muscle relaxationmaintenance of anesthesia

Dosing

Adult: of mutations in the RYR-1 gene, combined with genetic and metabolic heterogeneity of the condition, have precluded reliable genotypic determination of susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia. be hastened by the administration of neostigmine methylsulfate (0.52 mg IV) or edrophonium (10 mg IV, repeated as required up to a. total of 40 mg) (Watkins, 1994)..…

Pharmacokinetics

Metabolism

Metabolized by CYP2E1; undergoes reduction

Contraindications

concerns over hepatic toxicity (limited use in developed countries)
no longer marketed in the U.S.

Side effects

Serious

Fulminant liver failure
Toxic liver injury
fulminant hepatic necrosis (halothane hepatitis)
malignant hyperthermia (due to abnormal Ca2+ release channel in sarcoplasmic reticulum)