desflurane + nitrous oxide

Desflurane + nitrous oxide is a combination of two inhaled anesthetic agents commonly used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia during surgical procedures. Desflurane is a volatile halogenated ether anesthetic with rapid onset and offset due to its low blood-gas partition coefficient, making it suitable for both inpatient and outpatient surgeries. Nitrous oxide is a non-halogenated inhaled anesthetic gas that provides analgesic effects and enhances the potency of other volatile agents when used in combination. The mechanism of action for both drugs involves modulation of central nervous system activity by enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission (primarily via Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor for desflurane) and inhibiting excitatory neurotransmission (notably through N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism by nitrous oxide). This results in hypnosis, amnesia, immobility, and analgesia[1][3][4][5][6]. The combination allows for lower doses of each agent while achieving effective anesthesia.

Other names

desflurane + nitrous oxidedesflurane and nitrous oxide