enflurane
Last reviewed 01/2018
Enflurane is a volatile anaesthetic with a similar activity to halothane, but it is less potent at both induction and maintenance. This extends to its side-effects: like halothane, it produces cardiorespiratory depression but has a lesser likelihood of inducing arrhythmias in the presence of catecholamines, e.g. with adrenaline infusions.
It is usually given as an adjunct to nitrous oxide-oxygen mixtures. It may precipitate epileptiform seizures and as such, it should be avoided in patients with epilepsy.