Halothane (Fluothane)

Category:

• General anesthetic

Description:

• Halogenated, inhalation anesthetic

Indications:

• General anesthesia

• Status epilepticus (non-FDA approved)

Contraindications:

• Obstetric delivery

• Jaundice

Precautions:

• Breast feeding not recommended

• Use with amiodarone may produce atropine-resistant bradycardia and hypotension

• Potentiates effects of antihypertensive agents

• Sensitizes myocardium to effects of sympathomimetics

• Halothane increases the QT interval

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• CNS: delirium, headache, seizures

• CV: asystole, cardiac arrest, PVC’s, QT prolongation

• GI: hepatic failure/necrosis, nausea, vomiting

• OB: fetal abortion, fetal stillbirth, neonatal respiratory depression

• MISC: carboxyhemoglobinemia, fever, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, rash, respiratory depression, rhabdomyolysis

Dosage:

Administered by inhalation

• General anesthesia induction and maintenance: 

  • Adult: 

    • INH range from 0.5%-3%

    • During maintenance, concentration may be progressively decreased as necessary to prevent further depth of anesthesia and/or hypotension. 

    • Maintenance use 0.5%-1.5% concentration

• Child: 

  • Dosage must be individually determined

• Status epilepticus: 

  • Limited data: 

    • Single case report is noted where dramatic changes in peak airway pressures corresponded to administration of 0.25%-0.75% halothane

Drug interactions:

•  Beta blockers

•  Aminoglycosides

•  Antihypertensive agents

•  Cholinesterase inhibitors

•  Neuromuscular blockers

•  Oxytocics

•  Phenothiazines