BOC Medical -
Nitrous Oxide is a non-flammable, colourless oxidising gas with a slightly sweetish taste and odour. It vigourously supports combustion of materials which will not normally burn in air. Nitrous Oxide is a Schedule 4 drug for therapeutic use.
Uses of Medical Gases - Nitrous Oxide:
Nitrous Oxide is widely used as a base anaesthetic generally supplemented with either a potent volatile or intravenous anaesthetic agents.
These supplements are required in approximately half of their normal anaesthetising dose because of the anaesthetic effect of the Nitrous Oxide.
It is used extensively for relative analgesia and as a freezing agent in cryosurgery.
Indications for Medical Gases - Nitrous Oxide:
Nitrous Oxide is indicated in adults and children for general anaesthesia (usually as an adjuvant to other volatile or intravenous anaesthetics) and analgesia (with oxygen) e.g. dentistry and obstetrics.
Contraindications for Medical Gases - Nitrous Oxide:
- Should not be administered without the required level of oxygen (at least 30%)
- Hypersensitivity to Nitrous Oxide or any other component in the gas is a contraindicated
- Should not be used with any condition where air is entrapped within a body
- Nitrous Oxide should not be used on intoxicated patients
- Where there is prolonged exposure, monitoring of peripheral blood for features of megaloblastic anaemia and leucopenia is recommended
Dosage & Administration of Medical Gases - Nitrous Oxide:
Nitrous Oxide is inhaled through a face mask or tracheal tube by means of an anaesthetic apparatus. The gas is breathed in by the patient and absorbed through the lungs.
