Molecule

Drug Groups

approved

Description

Desflurane is a highly fluorinated methyl ethyl ether used for maintenance of general anaesthesia. Volatile agents such as desflurane may activate GABA channels and hyperpolarize cell membranes. In addition, they may inhibit certain calcium channels and therefore prevent release of neurotransmitters and inhibit glutamate channels. Volatile anesthetics easily partition into cellular membranes and could expand the volume of the cell membrane and subsequently distort channels necessary for sodium ion flux and the development of action potentials necessary for synaptic transmission. Desflurane preconditions human myocardium against ischemia through activation of mitochondrial K(ATP) channels, adenosine A1 receptor, and alpha and beta adrenoceptors.

Indication

For use as an inhalation agent for induction and/or maintenance of anesthesia for inpatient and outpatient surgery in adults.

Pharmacology

Desflurane is a general inhalation anesthetic. It induces muscle relaxation and reduces pains sensitivity by altering tissue excitability. It does so by decreasing the extent of gap junction mediated cell-cell coupling and altering the activity of the channels that underlie the action potential.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Minimally biotransformed in the liver in humans (approximately 0.02% of the quantity absorbed).

Absorption

Rapidly absorbed into the circulation via the lungs following inhalation.

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