Anæsthetics and their Uses

Anæsthetics and their Application.
Anæsthetic	How Applied	Comments
Barbiturates	Injection	Barbiturates produce rapid loss of consciousness, and are effective for short periods. However, they do not cause a loss of pain. For this reason, a barbiturate is used only as a preliminary anæsthetic before a general anæsthetic is given.
Chloroform	Inhalation	Chloroform was once an extremely common anæsthetic, but it is rarely used in surgical procedures today. Chloroform may damage a patient's liver.
Cyclopropane	Inhalation	Cyclopropane is an effective anæsthetic, but is not used as widely today as it once was because of its explosive properties. The recovery process from cyclopropane is speedy, but the patient may become considerably excited as he or she regains consciousness.
Ether	Inhalation	Ether was once widely used, but other drugs are considered safer.
Halothane (Fluothane)	Inhalation	Halothane is the most widely used anæsthetic today and is considered the most powerful. It is also safe for use in surgical procedures on persons suffering from asthma.
Nitrous Oxide	Inhalation	A drawback with nitrous oxide is that it lacks strength, so large amounts of the drug must be given to produce anæthesia. It is sometimes known as 'laughing gas'. Although the patient quickly becomes unconscious, anæsthesia may not be complete when it is used without oxygen. The patient may remain in an emotionally uninhibited state, which is often characterised by laughing or crying.
Local Anæsthetics
Procaine hydrochloride	Injection	This is the most widely used local anæsthetic. One disadvantage is that its effect wears off quickly. Adrenaline is sometimes mixed with the drug to make the effect last longer.
Lignocaine	Injection	These drugs are more poisonous to the body than procaine, and their use is regulated. One advantage over procaine is that the effect of these drugs lasts longer.
Cocaine Lignocaine	Direct application	Used for surface anæsthesia. A solution of the drug is applied directly to the area to be treated.

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