Anesthetic

Name:
Anesthetic
Detailed information:
A chemical compound that induces loss of sensation in a specific part or all of the body. A brief classification of the more important agents is as follows:

General

1. Hydrocarbons
   1. Cyclopropane (USP). Effective in presence of substantial proportions of oxygen; flammable.
   2. Ethylene (USP). Rapid anesthesia and rapid recovery; flammable.
2. Halogenated hydrocarbons
   1. Chloroform. Nonflammable. Its use is being abandoned because of its high toxicity.
   2. Ethyl chloride. A gas at room temperature, liquefies at relatively low pressure. Applied as a stream from container directly on tissue. Sometimes used in gaseous form as inhalation-type general anesthetic. Flammable.
   3. Trichloroethylene. Toxic and flammable. Used as general anesthetic since 1934.
3. Ethers
   1. Ethyl ether (USP). First anesthetic used in surgery (1846), now largely replaced with less dangerous types. Highly flammable, explodes in presence of spark or open flame.
   2. Vinyl ether. A liquid having many of the physiological properties of ethylene and ethyl ether. Highly flammable.
4. Miscellaneous
   1. Tribromoethanol. Basal anesthetic, supplemented by an inhalation type when general anesthesia is needed. Ingredient of “Avertin.”
   2. Nitrous oxide. Originally prepared by Priestley in 1772 (laughing gas); first used as anesthetic by Humphry Davy in 1800. Used (with oxygen) largely for dental surgery. Nonflammable.
   3. Barbiturates.

Local

1. Alkaloids (cocaine)
2. Synthetic products (procaine group, e.g., “Novocain”); alkyl esters of aromatic acids (topical).
3. Quinine hydrochloride.