About isoflurane
Volatile halogenated general anaesthetic
Used for
- Induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia during surgery.
Usual adult dose
Given by inhalation and adjusted by an anaesthesia professional; concentration depends on the procedure and patient.
Usual dose in children
Given by inhalation and carefully adjusted by an anaesthesia professional; concentration depends on age and procedure.
Common side effects
- Low blood pressure
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Breathing suppression
- Nausea and vomiting
Important warnings
- For administration only by trained anaesthesia professionals with airway and monitoring equipment.
- Can trigger malignant hyperthermia, a rare, life-threatening reaction.
- May prolong the QT interval and cause abnormal heart rhythms.
- Can cause liver injury; rare severe reactions have occurred.
Pregnancy
Use only when necessary for surgery; potential risks and benefits require clinical assessment.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can generally resume once the patient is awake and able to feed, after anaesthesia recovery.
Interactions
- Other anaesthetics, opioids, and sedatives can increase breathing and blood-pressure effects.
- Succinylcholine may increase the risk of malignant hyperthermia.
- Some medicines that affect heart rhythm may increase arrhythmia risk.
- Non-selective beta blockers may worsen low blood pressure or slow heartbeat.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.