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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
  • AcebrophyllineSevereDatabase
  • AminophyllineSevereDatabaseDDInter
  • AmiodaroneSevereDatabaseDDInter

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)

Drug interactions

Adrenaline
Contraindicated
Textbook

Ventricular arrhythmias.

Adrenaline should not be given during anaesthesia with halothane.

Source: KDT 7e · p133

Acebrophylline
Severe
Database

Increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias

Avoid concomitant use. If general anesthesia is required, consider alternative anesthetics or discontinue acebrophylline prior to surgery if clinically feasible.

Aminophylline
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Amiodarone
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Amisulpride
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Anagrelide
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Arsenic Trioxide
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Bedaquiline
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Bepridil
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Cabozantinib
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Ceritinib
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Chloroquine
Severe
Database

Drug interaction classified as: synergy

Source: DDInter

Related guidelines

Other General Anesthetic drugs

Ask House about Halothane

Continue into a citation-backed clinical answer with the drug context already attached.

Sources: KD Tripathi 7e, Goodman & Gilman 14e·Verified: 2026-05-13 · House clinical team