Halothane

Registered South African indications:

• General anaesthesia

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or any of its excipients
• Pregnancy
• Lactation
• Not recommended for vaginal delivery unless uterine relaxation is required
• Porphyria
• Adrenaline, most other sympathomimetic agents, and theophylline should be avoided during halothane anaesthesia as they can produce cardiac arrhythmias
• Increased risk of arrhythmias if halothane is used in patients receiving dopaminergic agents
• The use of halothane is generally not recommended in obstetrics due to the increased risk of postpartum haemorrhage

Cautions

• Renal impairment 
• Hepatic impairment 
• Obstetric procedures
• Exposure to halogenated agents within the last 3 months
• Phaeochromocytoma
• Patients known or susceptible to malignant hyperthermia
• Impaired adrenal cortex function
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• Cardiac disease
• Respiratory disease
• May impair ability to drive or operate machinery

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: liq

General anaesthesia

Induction

• Inhaled (liq): 2-4% v/v in oxygen or oxygen/nitrous oxide mixture

Maintenance

• Inhaled (liq): 0.5-2.5% v/v depending on the required anaesthetic depth and flow rate

Anaesthetic requirements are decreased in geriatric patients

Shivering or restlessness during recovery may require postoperative analgesia

Forms avail. in SA and covered in this monograph: liq

General anaesthesia

Induction

• Inhaled (liq): 1.5-2% v/v in oxygen or oxygen/nitrous oxide mixture

Maintenance

• Inhaled (liq): See adult dosage

Anaesthetic requirements increased in young children

Shivering or restlessness during recovery may require postoperative analgesia

Pregnancy

• Contraindicated

Breastfeeding

• Contraindicated

Renal Impairment

• Caution; no dose adjustment recommended

Hepatic Impairment

• Caution; no dose adjustment recommended

Elderly

• No dose adjustment recommended

Porphyria Information

• Contraindicated

Drugs in Sport

• Permitted - No warnings 

Cardiovascular Disorders

• Hypotension
• Bradycardia
• Arrhythmias

Respiratory Disorders

• Respiratory depression
• Hiccups
• Coughing
• Bronchospasm
• Laryngospasm

Gastrointestinal Disorders

• Nausea and vomiting

Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders 

• Malignant hyperthermia
• Shivering 

Hepatobiliary Disorders

• Hepatitis
• Hepatic necrosis

Immune, Blood and Lympathic System Disorders

• Hypersensitivity reactions

• Morphine
• Gallamine
• Tubocurarine
• Pentolinium
• Chlorpromazine
• Corticosteriods
• Aspirin
• Anticoagulants
• Oestrogens
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
• Lithium 
• Alcohol
• Central nervous system depressants
• Adrenaline, and most other sympathomimetic agents
• Theophylline
• Dopaminergic agents

• Halothane concentration
• Oxygen concentration

Halothane induces general anaesthesia due to its actions on multiple ion channels, which ultimately depresses nerve conduction, breathing, and cardiac contractility. Its immobilizing effects have been attributed to its binding to potassium channels in cholinergic neurons. Halothane's effect are also likely due to binding to N-methyl-D-aspartate and calcium channels, resulting in hyperpolarization

Liquid 250ml

• Halothane 100% (Safeline)