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Methoxyflurane



Methoxyflurane
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoro-1-methoxy-ethane
Identifiers
CAS number	76-38-0
ATC code	N01AB03
PubChem	4116
DrugBank	APRD00744
Chemical data
Formula	C₃H₄Cl₂F₂O
Mol. mass	164.965 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	Inhalation

Methoxyflurane (C₃H₄Cl₂F₂O) is an inhalational anaesthetic used in the 1960s, but withdrawn because of detrimental effects on the kidneys. This was due to fluoride ions being produced by its metabolism in the kidney. Its minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) is 0.2, hence it is extremely potent. It has a high lipid solubility (oil:gas coefficient around 950) giving it a very slow onset/offset, thus undesirable for anesthetic purposes.

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Methoxyflurane is used extensively in Australian ambulance services, and in St John Ambulance as an emergency analgesic.

v • d • e Anesthetic: General anesthetics (N01A)
Barbiturates	Hexobarbital, Methohexital, Narcobarbital, Thiopental
Ethers	Diethyl ether, Desflurane, Enflurane, Isoflurane, Methoxyflurane, Methoxypropane, Sevoflurane, Vinyl ether
Haloalkanes	Chloroform, Halothane, Trichloroethylene
Opioids	Alfentanil, Anileridine, Fentanyl, Phenoperidine, Remifentanil, Sufentanil
Others	Alfaxalone, Droperidol, Etomidate, gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid, Ketamine/Esketamine, Minaxolone, Nitrous oxide, Propanidid, Propofol, Xenon