Flurothyl

Flurothyl is a volatile inhalant anesthetic that was first synthesized in the 1950s. It is a clear, colorless liquid that is highly volatile and has a sweet, ethereal odor. Flurothyl is used primarily in experimental settings for the induction of seizures in laboratory animals.

History

Flurothyl was first synthesized in 1953 by the Lederle Laboratories in the United States. It was initially used as an inhalant anesthetic in human medicine, but its use was discontinued due to the high incidence of cardiac arrhythmias and other adverse effects.

Pharmacology

Flurothyl acts by disrupting the lipid bilayer of neuronal membranes, leading to a decrease in the threshold for seizure induction. It is rapidly metabolized in the body, with a half-life of approximately 4 minutes. The primary metabolite of flurothyl is difluoromethyl ether, which is excreted in the urine.

Medical uses

Flurothyl is used primarily in experimental settings for the induction of seizures in laboratory animals. It has also been used in human medicine for the treatment of status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition characterized by continuous or recurrent seizures.

Side effects

The most common side effects of flurothyl are nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. More serious side effects include cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, and respiratory depression.

See also

• Inhalant anesthesia
• Status epilepticus
• Cardiac arrhythmia