Nitrous Oxide (Nitrous Oxide)
Overview of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, slightly sweet-smelling gas, which is non- irritant, stable and relatively inert at room temperature. Nitrous Oxide is a week anaesthetic, but strong analgesic.it depresses the central nervous system, in low concentration analgesia is the main feature; at higher concentrations, Nitrous Oxide is anaesthetic in susceptible individuals. Nitrous oxide was first use as an anesthetic in 1844, in the USA for the purpose of dental extraction and has remained in continous and very widespread use since the earlist days of anesthesia. Nitrous Oxide is usually given with atleast 30% oxygen.
Indication of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide is primarily indicated in conditions like Analgesia, Analgesia without loss of consciousness, Dental caries, Maintenance of light anaesthesia, Pain, Surgical anaesthesia, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Dressing of burns and wounds.
Contraindication of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide is contraindicated in conditions like Intracranial air,Tension pneumothorax,Air embolus.
Side Effects of Nitrous Oxide
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Nitrous Oxide, which give rise to further complications include Peripheral neuropathy, Atonia.,Nitrous Oxide produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Aplastic Anemia, Aplastic anemia, Granulocytopenia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Nitrous Oxide therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Nitrous Oxide include Hypoxia.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Nitrous Oxide are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Nausea and vomiting, Numbness, Paresthesias, Lack of concentration.
Precautions of Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide should always be administered with atleast 20 to 30% oxygen. Care is required in patients during or after air encephalography. Mixture of equal part of nitrous oxide or oxygen should not be used for analgesia in patients with head injuries. Patients should observed caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, because may cause drowsiness. Patients with chronic disease such as diabetes or hypertension may require adjustment to their therapy before anesthesia. Anaesthetics should be given with caution in patients with cardiac, respiratory, renal or hepatic (liver) impairment.