Is Enflurane the Correct Anaesthetic For You?

Medical procedures and anaesthesia go hand in hand. Humans have been using anaesthesia for a long period. Anaesthesia is essential to create a loss of sensation so that pain and discomfort are prevented. In the olden days, anaesthesia was given using plant-based products and eventually, we have modern-day medicines. Anaesthesia causes an unresponsive state. It is beneficial during severe operations and complex medical procedures, where the patient might experience unbearable pain and distress. Anaesthesia numbs the pain, and the patient can successfully sit through the entire procedure.

The primary work of any anaesthesia is to suppress the sensory response. Due to this, the patient is unable to feel the pain. Anaesthesia works on the brain or the peripheral nervous system, by blocking the signals that pass to the nerves and forward to the brain. As the effect of the drugs weakens, the patient can feel normal sensations again. The medicines that induce anaesthesia are called anaesthetics. Anaesthetics are useful during tests and surgical operations to numb the body sensation or certain areas of the body. They are useful to induce sleep too.

General anaesthesia involves a state of complete unconsciousness. The patient is unaware of the procedure and the distress associated with it. General anaesthesia proves to be useful during complex and long operations and medical procedures. Local anaesthesia involves causing numbness or loss of sensation only in a particular area of the body. The patient is conscious and aware otherwise. Local anaesthesia is useful during minor procedures or operations.

Some special doctors administer the anaesthesia. They are known as anaesthetists. They are called before an operation and procedure, to administer the decided anaesthetic. Anaesthetics are given in several ways like an ointment (spray or drops), an injection into a vein, and a gas you breathe in. Enflurane is an anaesthetic and sometimes doctors can use it for you.

What is Enflurane?

Enflurane is a general anaesthetic, indicated for the introduction of anaesthesia in adults, it is also useful in the upkeep or maintenance of anaesthesia in children and adult patients. Enflurane is inhaled to cause loss of consciousness before and during surgery in adults. It can be used as a maintenance anaesthesia after receiving other anaesthetics before and during surgery. Enflurane requires a vaporizer for administration. At room temperature, it is a clear, colourless liquid.

When is Enflurane used?

Enflurane is given mainly for the below listed instances

· Induction of anaesthesia for inpatient and outpatient surgery.

· Maintenance of anaesthesia for inpatient and outpatient surgery.

· It is sometimes used for vaginal delivery as an analgesic, or as a supplement anaesthetic in delivery by the caesarean section.

How is Enflurane available?

Enflurane is sold under the brand name ETHRANE. ETHRANE (enflurane, USP) is packaged in amber-coloured bottles in strengths 125 ml and 250 ml.

Precautions Before taking Enflurane

Anaesthesia needs to be taken with due caution. Most inhaled anaesthetics are contraindicated for people having hyperthermia, so discuss your family history or personal medical history with your doctor before taking Enflurane.

Drugs can interact with the other drugs or medicines you consume, so let your doctor know of all the medicines you take to avoid any unwanted side effects.

Before inhaling Enflurane, inform your doctor if you have any of the following conditions

   Any allergic condition to any medicine

  If you are breastfeeding or pregnant.

  If you have asthma or an airway infection.

  If you have any heart or blood vessel disease

  There is any muscle weakness

  If you have any Liver or kidney disease

How to take Enflurane?

Enflurane is administered by inhalation. Enflurane should be delivered from a specially designed vaporizer for inhalation. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of Enflurane decreases with increasing patient age. The dosage for induction and maintenance is titrated to the desired effect by the doctor. The dosage depends upon the patient’s age and clinical status. A well-ventilated room is essential during the administration of Enflurane. Enflurane is administered in the concentration range of 0.5 to 1.0%. it is used as a supplement to other general anaesthetics. Enflurane may make the patient sleepy. It is recommended not to carry out any activities that require concentration like driving or using heavy machines after receiving Enflurane. The effect may last for about 24 hours or longer. Although there are no specific monitoring guidelines, the doctor will monitor regularly for blood pressure, pulse rate, and heartbeat during the treatment.

Side effects

Like all medicines, Enflurane also has some side effects. The patient may develop some unwanted effects, so it is necessary to monitor the situation carefully. Consult the doctor immediately if patients develop any side effects.

Common Enflurane side-effects are listed below

· Upset stomach

· Vomiting

· Shivering

Enflurane can have some severe side effects as well. The effects are rare, and only some patients can experience them.

Some of the severe side effects are listed below.

· Hives

· Difficulty breathing or respiratory irritation

· Swelling up of the throat, face, or other body parts

· Red, swollen, blistered, peeling skin with and without fever

· Wheezing

· Unusual hoarseness

· Confusion

· Weakness, dizziness, and light-headedness

· Abnormal or fast heartbeat

· A bluish skin colour seen on lips, nails, or fingers and toes

· Vomiting

· Fever

· Dark urine

· Tiredness, loss of appetite

· Abdominal pain, upset stomach

· Delirium post operation

If the patient experiences any side effects that may cause trouble and are severe, it is advised to consult the doctor immediately.

How to know if Enflurane is the correct drug for you?

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Today, MEDNAwise has defied the idea of trial drugs to identify the best-suited drug for you. MEDNAwise studies your genes and tells your body’s genetic response to 70+ drugs across varied medical specialties. It is an efficient test to tell you your body’s response to most anaesthetics, Enflurane included. With a quick saliva swab test, you can take the MEDNAwise test from anywhere, even your house. Once you send the sample, detailed results are sent to you after testing. The added benefit of the MEDNAwise test is that the counsellors give a free consultation after the test results and help you understand the recommendations of the test. The advantages of the MEDNAwise test, are that you will be able to get the most effective treatment that will save your time and will also provide better health results. The future of healthcare is here, and it is time you become a part of it. For effective and efficient healthcare call Indus Health Plus to book your MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic test today!