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Nitrous oxide gas for inhalation
Nitrous oxide acts as a dissociative anesthetic and analgesic by modulating NMDA receptor activity and enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system.
Nitrous oxide acts as a dissociative anesthetic and analgesic by modulating NMDA receptor activity and enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Used for Acute pain relief and anxiolysis in emergency and acute care settings, Anesthetic adjunct for minor surgical and dental procedures.
At a glance
| Generic name | Nitrous oxide gas for inhalation |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Nitrous oxide at an inspiratory concentration of 50% with concurrent intravenous saline (100mL), Nitrous Oxide, Nitrous, N2O, Laughing gas |
| Sponsor | Unity Health Toronto |
| Drug class | Dissociative anesthetic |
| Target | NMDA receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia and Acute Pain Management |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a rapid-acting inhalational anesthetic that primarily antagonizes NMDA glutamate receptors, reducing excitatory neurotransmission. It also enhances GABAergic inhibitory signaling and may interact with opioid and monoamine systems. These combined effects produce anesthesia, analgesia, and dissociation with a fast onset and offset due to its low blood-gas solubility.
Approved indications
- Anesthesia (induction and maintenance, typically in combination with other agents)
- Analgesia for acute pain relief and procedural sedation
Common side effects
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and dissociation
- Headache
- Vitamin B12 depletion (with chronic use)
- Hypoxia (if not properly mixed with oxygen)
Key clinical trials
- SMILE Trial - Imaging Sub-Study
- Can Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) be Used as a Sedative for GI Endoscopy Procedures? (PHASE4)
- Use of Nitrous Oxide for Pain and Anxiety Management During Cervical Cerclage Removal- A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study (NA)
- N2O for Acute Suicidality and Depression in the ED (PHASE2)
- Perioperative Nitric Oxide Prevents Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Patients (PHASE4)
- A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial of Nitrous Oxide During In-office Bladder Botox Injections (PHASE4)
- The Impact of Nitrous Oxide Sedation on Dental Fear and Anxiety Scores in Children Aged 6-10 Years (PHASE2)
- Antidepressant Effects of Nitrous Oxide (PHASE2)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Nitrous oxide gas for inhalation CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Nitrous oxide gas for inhalation updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Unity Health Toronto portfolio CI