.Pharmacolibrary.Drugs.ATC.N.N01AX13

Information

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is an inhalational anesthetic used for its analgesic and sedative properties. It is still approved and widely used in dental procedures, emergency care for pain management, and as an adjunct to other anesthetics in surgical settings.

Pharmacokinetics

Estimated pharmacokinetics in healthy adult individuals based on physicochemical properties and references to similar inhaled anesthetic gases. Because nitrous oxide is administered by inhalation and is not absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, classical oral PK parameters such as ka and Tlag are not relevant. Most of the uptake and elimination occurs in the lungs via pulmonary exchange.

References

1. Drover, DR, & Lemmens, HJ (1998). Population pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of remifentanil as a supplement to nitrous oxide anesthesia for elective abdominal surgery. Anesthesiology 89(4) 869–877. DOI:10.1097/00000542-199810000-00011 PUBMED:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9778004

2. Caldwell, JE, et al., & Sessler, DI (2000). Temperature-dependent pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vecuronium. Anesthesiology 92(1) 84–93. DOI:10.1097/00000542-200001000-00018 PUBMED:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10638903

3. Grunwald, Z, et al., & Bartkowski, RR (1993). The pharmacokinetics of droperidol in anesthetized children. Anesthesia and analgesia 76(6) 1238–1242. DOI:10.1213/00000539-199306000-00010 PUBMED:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8498660

Revisions

• 06/2025 initial generated model