Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Inhalational anaesthetic
Introduction
Overview
Inhalational anaesthetics are gases or vapours possessing anaesthetic qualities. The agents of significant contemporary interest include the volatile anaesthetics (halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane) and the gases ethylene, nitrous oxide and xenon.