Isoflurane - general information​

Molar mass of ISOFLURANE is 184,5 g/mol, and is more heavy compared to air.​

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ISOFLURANE is commonly used as anesthetic for inhalation in small animals, mice etc. for experimental use in laboratories, pharmaceutical industry and universities. ISOFLURANE is preferred when small animals need to be anesthetized for longer periods. Anesthetics in mice and small animals are usually in concentration of 1,5%. ISOFLURANE is used together with air or pure oxygen. ISOFLURANE is also used in animal hospitals for large animals e.g. horses for lengthy operations in concentration approx. 1,85%, and used for operations of dogs and cats. Besides ISOFLURANE is also a common anesthetic, used in hospitals for human beings.

Today ISOFLURANE is the preferred gas used for anesthetics, as ISOFLURANE is non - explosive and very stable. In previous generations Ethers was used for anesthetics in animals and human beings, however Ether is highly explosive, and represent a significant danger in laboratories. ISOFLURANE is always handled together with a vaporizer. The ISOFLURANE fluid is transformed to ISOFLURANE vapor in the vaporizer, and the patient is controlled with a precise concentration. ISOFLURANE has usually a very short effect on patients. After end of use animals wake up rapidly, often within 2—3 minutes. Horses however take a longer period, before lungs are ventilated for anesthetic gas.

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ISOFLURANE is supposed to remain in the anesthetic system to be used for operation of the patient, larger animals or research on small animals. It is not supposed to escape the system. Nevertheless, it is very difficult to avoid that small amount of ISOFLURANE vapor slips out of the system. Doctors and staff in the laboratory must avoid long term exposure to ISOFLURANE. If ISOFLURANE escapes the system it will cause operator drowsiness, and possible discomfort.

When ISOFLURANE is used in laboratories, it is necessary to install very efficient ventilation systems changing the air up to 10 x times pr. hour. In many laboratories, there is also a separate ventilation system in the table where operators are experimenting with mice and other small animals, and also often there is an air ventilation close to the respirator

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Nevertheless ventilation - also in well ventilated rooms, ISOFLURANE can often be detected by smell. After longer period of use, some ISOFLURANE escapes the system. How much and where the vapor concentrate in the room is difficult to determine. AQM 1 is the suitable instrument to test and monitor the measurement information. When laboratory workers complain, that they smell ISOFLURANE, the level has already reached above > 1200 PPM. And this happen regularly.

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​Isoflurane is used for surgical purpose, when the veterinarian requires the patient to be unaware and without pain, or when the animal must be immobilized. Besides the benefit of less pain, the animal is also exposed to less stress due to the surgical operation.

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In animal clinics and hospitals where cats and dogs are anesthetized for surgical procedures, ISOFLURANE is usually the preferred gas. In some situations, Sevoflurane is preferred, however Sevoflurane is significantly more expensive and therefore not used frequently. Also, smaller animals are generally placed under anesthesia, and because ISOFLURANE is very well controlled, it is easy to dose correctly. Veterinary anesthesia is used in all of the major species: dogs, cats, horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as well as all other animals requiring veterinary care such as birds’ pets, and wildlife. Veterinarians use ISOFLURANE for wider range of purpose compared to anesthesia in human beings. Mainly because animals do not easily co-operate with the doctor in diagnostics and therapeutic procedures. ​​