Methoxyflurane (Penthrane)

J

jamesm

Forum Probie
Messages
26
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Hello, I was wondering if anyone uses the drug Methoxyflurane. I believe it's only manufactured in Australia, however I was curious if anyone in the US has used it. Methoxyflurane provides rapid-onset short-term analgesia for initial management of acute trauma pain and brief painful procedures.

It's a non-opioid alternative to morphine and easier to use then nitrous oxide. You place a 3ml vial into a device we call a green whistle and the patient self inhales the vapours. For stronger pain relief the patient is told when breathing in to cover a air hole to allow more Penthrane into the lungs to reduce acute pain. Pain relief usually begins after 7 breaths. it has very little side effects and is the number one emergency analgesic in Australia.

If you want to know more try googling it or ask me I will do my best, keep in mind I'm not a EMT but currently a first responder and rescuer. Also Methoxyflurane is available to use by anyone if they have a course in the use of Methoxyflurance in their advance first aid course due to it has little side effects and it's non-opioid.
 
The FDA has banned methoxyflurane, and in the US entonox (nitrous oxide) must not be mixed in a single cylinder.
 
So, do you know why the FDA banned Methoxyflurance, it's used more then candy here in Australia?
 
Ok that's strange, I got a quote off the FDA website and it quotes "F D A’s review shows that methoxyflurane, a volatile anesthetic agent, is associated with serious, irreversible, and even fatal nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in humans," This is new to me, it's used quite often here. Also the FDA report say it did it's results I know Methoxyflurane is only used at 3ml -6ml per session. I also looked at the box I have it dose say Liver toxicity, Kidney failure if reguraly overdosed. I know Morphen if regularly ODed is bad for you.
 
We trialled methoxyflurane with a view to removing entonox however it did not end up that way and methoxyflurane is now used in place of entonox only in situations where weight or space are a concern e.g. Ambulance Rescue (SERT), the Rapid Response or Motorcycle Response Unit and HEMS.

Brown knows there have been significant OSH concerns with methoxyflurane in New South Wales.
 
jamesm said:
Ok that's strange, I got a quote off the FDA website and it quotes "F D A:censored::censored::censored:8217;s review shows that methoxyflurane, a volatile anesthetic agent, is associated with serious, irreversible, and even fatal nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in humans," This is new to me, it's used quite often here. Also the FDA report say it did it's results I know Methoxyflurane is only used at 3ml -6ml per session. I also looked at the box I have it dose say Liver toxicity, Kidney failure if reguraly overdosed. I know Morphen if regularly ODed is bad for you.
Click to expand...

Methoxyflurane was used in the 60's and 70's as a general anasthetic. At the dosages required for anasthesia it was found to be nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic. It is deemed same when used is much smaller amounts such as our services uses as an inhaled analgesic. 3ml for childrean 1-12 and 6ml total for adults.

It works wonders and definitely has a place in pain management. Good for smaller children so you dont have to stab them with a needle straight away. Good for people with back pain etc to help them mobilise onto stretcher etc without narcing them up, and the best part is its short half-life and ability to be given quickly and used in combination with other analgesia. It is expensive though, something like $20-25 for the drug and inhaler.


With regards to OSH concerns, you just need to be smart about it. Use it in well ventilated areas, or with the vent on in the back if loaded. Having said that i'm sure continual exposure to the drug by ambos cant be good over the long term/
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top