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Methoxyfluorane: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Methoxyfluorane - 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 Methoxyfluorane

Methoxyfluorane 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 Methoxyfluorane

Methoxyfluorane Indication

For use in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia

Mechanism Of Action
Methoxyfluorane induces a reduction in junctional conductance by decreasing gap junction channel opening times and increasing gap junction channel closing times. Methoxyfluorane 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. Methoxyfluorane 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
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals