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Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, Desflurane
These volatile anesthetics enhance inhibitory GABA receptor signaling and inhibit excitatory NMDA receptor function to produce general anesthesia.
These volatile anesthetics enhance inhibitory GABA receptor signaling and inhibit excitatory NMDA receptor function to produce general anesthesia. Used for General anesthesia for surgical procedures, Maintenance of anesthesia during surgery.
At a glance
| Generic name | Sevoflurane, Isoflurane, Desflurane |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland |
| Drug class | Volatile anesthetic |
| Target | GABA-A receptor, NMDA receptor |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesiology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Sevoflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane are halogenated volatile anesthetics that work primarily by potentiating GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system while simultaneously antagonizing glutamatergic NMDA receptor activity. This dual mechanism depresses neuronal excitability and consciousness, producing rapid induction and emergence from anesthesia with dose-dependent effects on cardiovascular and respiratory function.
Approved indications
- General anesthesia for surgical procedures
- Maintenance of anesthesia during surgery
Common side effects
- Postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Hypotension
- Respiratory depression
- Emergence delirium
- Hepatotoxicity (rare, isoflurane)
Key clinical trials
- Delirium Reduction by Volatile Anesthesia in Cardiac Surgery (PHASE4)
- General Anesthetics in CAncer REsection Surgery (GA-CARES) Trial (PHASE4)
- Interaction of Volatile Anesthetics With Magnesium (PHASE4)
- Effects of Volatile Anaesthetics on Incidence of Postoperative Depression and Anxiety in Elderly Patients
- Anesthesia and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Recurrence (PHASE4)
- Evaluation of Bispectral Index (BIS™) and Levels of Sedation With Common Inhalational Anesthetics in Healthy Volunteers (OLIVER) (NA)
- Volatile Anaesthesia and Perioperative Outcomes Related to Cancer Feasibility Study (PHASE4)
- Comparison Between Propofol and Inhalational Anaesthetic Agents on Cardiovascular Outcomes Following Cardiac Surgery (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 |
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