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Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen
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 Procedural sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients, Anxiolysis and pain relief during minor medical and dental procedures, Emergency analgesia and sedation.
At a glance
| Generic name | Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Nationwide Children's Hospital |
| Drug class | Inhalational anesthetic and analgesic gas |
| Target | NMDA receptor antagonist; GABAergic potentiator |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia and Sedation |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a rapid-acting inhalational anesthetic that produces dissociation and analgesia through antagonism of NMDA glutamate receptors and potentiation of inhibitory GABAergic pathways. When combined with oxygen, it provides anxiolysis and pain relief while maintaining patient consciousness at lower concentrations, making it suitable for procedural sedation in pediatric settings. The gas is rapidly absorbed and eliminated via the lungs, allowing quick onset and offset of effects.
Approved indications
- Procedural sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients
- Anxiolysis during minor surgical and dental procedures in children
Common side effects
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Dissociation/altered mental status
- Transient vitamin B12 depletion with chronic use
Key clinical trials
- SMILE Trial - Imaging Sub-Study
- Comparison of Two Intravenous Drug Combinations for Ambulatory Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (PHASE1)
- Use of Nitrous Oxide for Pain and Anxiety Management During Cervical Cerclage Removal- A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Study (NA)
- A Pilot Study to Assess Effects of Self-Administered Nitrous Oxide (SANO) on Urodynamic Study (UDS) Parameters (PHASE4)
- N2O for Acute Suicidality and Depression in the ED (PHASE2)
- Efficacy on Anxiety of the Digital Music Application Versus Equimolar Mixture of Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide in Patients Receiving CT-guided Lumbar Infiltration (NA)
- Self-Adjusted Nitrous Oxide: A Feasibility Study in the Setting of Vasectomy (PHASE4)
- Perioperative Nitric Oxide Prevents Acute Kidney Injury in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Patients (PHASE4)
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/Oxygen CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Nationwide Children's Hospital portfolio CI