Nitrous oxide (medication)

Nitrous oxide, as <a href="/facts/Medical_gas_supply/e5DbYFw9">medical gas supply</a>, is an inhaled gas used as <a href="/facts/Analgesic/xLj4XBcq">pain medication</a>, and is typically administered with 50% oxygen mix. It is often used together with other <a href="/facts/Anesthetic_agents/b3MKVn8E">medications</a> for <a href="/facts/Anesthesia/b3MKVn8E">anesthesia</a>. Common uses include during <a href="/facts/Childbirth/KaWFJ4kG">childbirth</a>, following <a href="/facts/Major_trauma/vAIyyy22">trauma</a>, and as part of <a href="/facts/End-of-life_care/UE3x29J0">end-of-life care</a>. Onset of effect is typically within half a minute, and the effect lasts for about a minute.
Nitrous oxide was discovered between 1772 and 1793 and used for anesthesia in 1844. It is on the <a href="/facts/WHO_Model_List_of_Essential_Medicines/6kmu81Xm">World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines</a>. It often comes as a 50/50 mixture with <a href="/facts/Oxygen/acyn6o8r">oxygen</a>. Devices with a <a href="/facts/Demand_valve/1ruvFLoD">demand valve</a> are available for self-administration. The setup and maintenance is relatively inexpensive for <a href="/facts/Developing_countries/eTfS4kxl">developing countries</a>.
There are few side effects, other than <a href="/facts/Vomiting/R2vQkHqV">vomiting</a>, with short-term use. With long-term use <a href="/facts/Anemia/AgEPPmg8">anemia</a> or <a href="/facts/Numbness/JLTKX8LX">numbness</a> may occur. It should always be given with at least 21% <a href="/facts/Oxygen_therapy/38BdReab">oxygen</a>. It is not recommended in people with a <a href="/facts/Bowel_obstruction/RG1bIVss">bowel obstruction</a> or <a href="/facts/Pneumothorax/oaCPSynh">pneumothorax</a>. Use in the early part of <a href="/facts/Pregnancy/vEKYGpep">pregnancy</a> is not recommended. It is possible to continue <a href="/facts/Breastfeeding/cdWXyYDX">breastfeeding</a> following use.

Nitrous oxide (medication) open-in-new

Nitrous oxide (medication)