NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Question 1

Generic/Trade Name

NITROUS OXIDE

Answer 1

Nitronox®, Entonox®

Question 2

Generic/Trade Name

Nitronox®, Entonox®

Answer 2

NITROUS OXIDE

Question 3

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Drug Classification:

Answer 3

Analgesic

Anesthetic Gas

Question 4

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Mechanism of Action:

Answer 4

NMDA (Glutamate)-R antagonist ⇒blockade of neuronal signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain, creating dissociative anesthesia, euphoria, and analgesia

Question 5

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Pharmacokinetics

Answer 5

• Onset of Action = 2-5 minutes
• Peak Effects = 2-5 minutes
• Duration of Effect = 2-5 minutes
• Half-Life = 5 minutes

Question 6

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Indications & Contraindications

Answer 6

Indications/Field Use:
• Acute musculoskeletal pain
• Burns
• Ischemic chest pain
• Anxiety

Contraindications:
• AMS secondary to drugs, alcohol, or head injury
• Inability to comprehend verbal instructions
• Patient with COPD, abdominal pain/distention, or thoracic injury suspicious for pneumothorax

Question 7

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Side Effects/Adverse Reactions:

Answer 7

Dizziness, light-headedness, N+V

altered mental status, hallucinations

Question 8

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Adult & Pedi Dose:

Answer 8

(ADULT): 50/50 mixture oxygen and nitrous oxide – self-administered until the patient notes relief or drops the mask

Question 9

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Precautions:

Answer 9

Use only in well ventilated areas

May be impossible to administer in temperatures less than 21°F

Question 10

NITROUS OXIDE (Nitronox®, Entonox®)

Drug-Drug Interactions:

Answer 10

May potentiate other CNS depressants including narcotics, sedatives, hypnotics, and alcohol