Is Halothane the Suitable Anaesthetic For You?  

Anaesthesia is a term used when we talk of pain and resuscitation.  There are times in life when the pain is unbearable, and it is best to numb the pain in some way. Anaesthesia causes loss of sensation and numbness. Anaesthesia is beneficial during complex medical procedures and surgical operations. They help numb the body sensation or certain areas of the body. They are also beneficial to induce sleep. They are known to prevent distress, pain, and discomfort. In the 19th century, anaesthesia was just another medicine and had a minor role, but today there are specialists called Anaesthetists who are responsible to administer anaesthesia to patients. They know the correct procedures and dosage.

 
The medicines which cause anaesthesia are called anaesthetics. People under anaesthetics lose feelings of pain and other sensations. It's not clear exactly how it works, but anaesthetics are said to block the signals that pass along your nerves to your brain. As the brain does not receive the signals you do not feel the pain. When the effects of the drugs weaken, you start to feel normal sensations again. 
 
When anaesthesiology was initiated, only general anaesthesia was used. In general anaesthesia, the patient is unconscious and unaware of the medical procedure that is carried out. It is used for complex and severe procedures or surgeries. Later came the advent of local anaesthesia where only a small area of the body is numbed and the patient remains fully conscious. This is commonly used during minor medical operations or surgeries. Anaesthetics can be administered in several ways like an ointment (spray or drops), an injection into a vein, and as a gas, you breathe in. Halothane is one such anaesthetic that can be used by your doctor.
 
What is Halothane?
 
A general anaesthetic Halothane is used for the initiation and maintenance of general anaesthesia. It is inhaled to cause the effect. A state of loss of consciousness is caused due to inhalation.  It is beneficial before and during surgery in adults. It is often used as a maintenance anaesthesia in children and even adults. It is given after receiving other anaesthetics before and during surgery.  Halothane is a clear, colourless, stable liquid and has an ethereal odour. 
 
When is Halothane used?
 
Halothane is non-nauseating and used for inpatient and outpatient surgery, as induction of anaesthesia, and also for the maintenance of anaesthesia. The benefit of using halothane is that it does not increase the production of saliva, so it is beneficial during critical injury for patients who are difficult to intubate.
  
How is Halothane available?
 
Halothane is available as a volatile liquid in strengths 250ml and 125ml.
Halothane is sold under the brand name Hypnothane (Neon Laboratories).
 
Precautions Before taking Halothane
 
Any medicine needs to be consumed with caution and due precautions. Most drugs interact with other drugs, so your doctor must know the medicines you take before giving you Halothane. Sometimes certain drugs are not recommended for some medical conditions, hence discuss with your doctor your medical history and current medications. 
 
Inform your doctor if you have any of the below-listed conditions
 
•   Any allergic condition to halothane or other medicines
•   Have had a head injury in the recent past
•   About Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
•   If you have asthma or an airway infection.
•   Heart or blood vessel disease
•   Muscle weakness
•   High blood pressure
•   Liver 
•   Kidney Disease
•   Have porphyria
 
How to take Halothane?

The ways to administer Halothane are by the nonrebreathing technique, the partial rebreathing technique, or the closed technique. Special equipment is used by professional doctors to administer Halothane. You will be asked to breathe in the equipment and inhale the gas. Do not drive or do anything that requires concentration and mental focus until you know how Halothane affects you. Therefore, for about 24 hours after receiving a general anaesthetic, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Halothane is known to reduce blood pressure and sometimes the pulse rate too. Therefore, the doctors closely monitor the patient when Halothane is given.
 
Side effects

Halothane may cause side effects. If you experience any side effects it is best to inform your doctor. 
Most side effects go off on their own with no medical attention. Seek medical help if the symptoms are severe or do not go away. 

Common Halothane side effects are listed below

•    Decreased blood pressure
•    Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats)
•    High-grade fever
•    Nausea
•    Shivering
•    Vomiting

Some severe, not-so-common side effects are listed below

•    Abnormal heart rhythm
•    Decreased lung function
•    Decreased oxygen in the tissues or blood
•    Hepatitis
•    Kidney damage
•    Malignant hyperthermia
•    Problems with circulation
•    Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
 
In case you experience severe side effects consult your doctor immediately. 

How to know if Halothane suits you?

Anaesthesia is crucial for many medical procedures; the correct anaesthesia can ensure better treatments and results. The MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic test from Indus Health Plus is the perfect tool to know which anaesthesia would suit you. The MEDNAwise test helps you get the best line of personalized treatment and saves you time too. Typically, doctors have a trial method, wherein they prescribe a drug, and see the effects. As per the effects and response from the patient, they alter the dosage or change the drug. With the MEDNAwise test, you can find the best-suited drugs for you. Genes play a crucial role in your body's response to drugs. It is due to genes that each individual has a different response to the same drug. 

The MEDNAwise test examines your genes and their response to 70+ drugs used in different medical specialties, including anaesthetics like Halothane. MEDNAwise test helps to find out the most effective drug, the correct dosage, and to know the adverse effects of medicines. MEDNAwise is a one-time-only test, the results can be used multiple times whenever required. A simple spit swab test. It is very easy to take. You can take the MEDNAwise test anytime and anywhere. Once you collect the saliva sample, send the samples for testing.  After the results, the counsellors help you understand the results. They provide free counselling and suggest diet plans as per the results and also guide you for any future health plans. It is your right to good health and it should be your goal for a long-term healthy life. The aim should be to, always be prepared for any situation. With the MEDNAwise test, you are stress-free as it gets you easy access to precision treatments that are effective and saves time. 

It is a bold new world of personalized healthcare. Make the most of it, take the MEDNAwise pharmacogenetic test today!