← Search & browse all drugs
NERVOUS SYSTEM › ANESTHETICS › ANESTHETICS, GENERAL › Ethers
diethyl ether
N01AA01
Forms & Strengths
- Inhalation liquid: 100% in 100 mL, 200 mL, or 500 mL containers
Adult Dosing
- General anesthesia induction: Vaporized via inhalation, concentration of 10% to 15% in oxygen
- General anesthesia maintenance: Vaporized via inhalation, concentration of 4% to 8% in oxygen
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and efficacy not well established; historically used similar vapor concentrations as adults with extreme caution
Indications
- Historical induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
- Obsolete in modern clinical practice due to high flammability and availability of safer agents
Mechanism of Action
- Potentiates inhibitory neurotransmission at GABAA and glycine receptors
- Inhibits excitatory neurotransmission at NMDA and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
- Hyperpolarizes neuronal membranes and depresses central nervous system function
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to volatile anesthetics
- Presence of open flames, electrocautery, or potential ignition sources due to extreme flammability
- Patients with severe metabolic disorders like porphyria
- Uncontrolled diabetes or severe hypovolemic shock
Adverse Reactions
- Respiratory depression and airway irritation with excessive mucus secretion
- Postoperative nausea and vomiting (very high incidence)
- Laryngospasm and bronchospasm during induction
- Hypotension and cardiovascular depression at deep anesthetic planes
- Emergence delirium and excitation phase during induction
Drug Interactions
- Skeletal muscle relaxants (nondepolarizing and depolarizing): Potentiates and prolongs neuromuscular blockade
- Catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine): Increases risk of severe cardiac arrhythmias
- Central nervous system depressants (opioids, sedatives, alcohol): Synergistic respiratory and CNS depression
Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use