Methoxane: Full Drug Profile

Methoxane - General Information

An inhalation anesthetic. Currently, methoxyflurane is rarely used for surgical, obstetric, or dental anesthesia. If so employed, it should be administered with nitrous oxide to achieve a relatively light level of anesthesia, and a neuromuscular blocking agent given concurrently to obtain the desired degree of muscular relaxation. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p180)

Pharmacology of Methoxane

Methoxane is a general inhalation anesthetic used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It induces muscle relaxation and reduces pains sensitivity by altering tissue excitability. It does so by decreasing the extent of gap junction mediated cell-cell coupling and altering the activity of the channels that underlie the action potential.

Additional information about Methoxane

Methoxane Indication

For use in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia

Mechanism Of Action

Methoxane induces a reduction in junctional conductance by decreasing gap junction channel opening times and increasing gap junction channel closing times. Methoxane also activates calcium dependent ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum by increasing the fluidity of the lipid membrane. It also appears to bind the D subunit of ATP synthase and NADH dehydogenase. Methoxane also binds to the GABA receptor, the large conductance Ca²⁺ activated potassium channel, the glutamate receptor and the glycine receptor.

Generic Name

Methoxyflurane

Drug Category

Anesthetics, Inhalation

Drug Type

Small Molecule; Approved

Other Brand Names containing Methoxyflurane

Analgizer; Anecotan; Ingalan; Inhalan; MOF; Methofane; Methoflurane; Methoxane; Methoxiflurane; Methoxifluranum; Methoxyfluoran; Methoxyfluorane; Methoxyfluran; Methoxyflurane [Usan-Ban-Inn]; Methoxyfluranum [Inn-Latin]; Metofane; Metossiflurano [Dcit]; Metoxfluran; Metoxifluran; Metoxiflurano [Inn-Spanish]; Penthrane; Pentran; Pentrane;

Toxicity (Overdose)

LD₅₀=3600 mg/kg (Orally in rats). Symptoms of overexposure include eye irritation, CNS depression, analgesia, anesthesia, seizures, respiratory depression, and liver and kidney damage.

Biotransformation

Hepatic.

Chemical IUPAC Name

2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoro-1-methoxyethane

Chemical Formula

C3H4Cl2F2O

Methoxyflurane on Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methoxyflurane

Organisms Affected

Humans and other mammals