Inhalation agents signify a basic drug used in modern balanced anesthesia. During clinical anesthesia, the rate at which the inspired anesthetic concentration rises towards the concentration delivered by the vaporiser is dependent on the breathing system and on the amount of fresh gas flowing into the system. The present article highlights the pharmacokinetics, effectiveness and clinical effects of inhalation agents. One of the most significant discoveries in medical science was by William Morton in 1846 who demonstrated anesthetic properties of diethyl ether.
Thereafter, many other anesthetics, including nitrous oxide, chloroform, ethylene, cyclopropane, trichloroethylene and divinyl ether were introduced into clinical practice. Unfortunately, some of these anesthetics were explosive or toxic and have since been discontinued for clinical use. Around 1960, a new halogenated ether,…
