Inhaled medicinal nitrous oxide/oxygen mixtures are used in paediatrics, obstetrics, and for procedural pain. The low solubility of nitrous oxide in biological tissue and fluid means, in clinical practice, that medicinal nitrous oxide/oxygen mixtures provide rapid pain relief and elimination of the gas from the lungs. A further safety feature is the composition of an inhaled mixture product consisting of 50% nitrous oxide and oxygen to prevent hypoxia during administration.
Medicinal nitrous oxide/oxygen mixtures are administered by inhalation, so there is no need to insert a cannula or set up an intravenous line. This means that this form of analgesia/sedation does not need to be administered by a specialist anaesthetist, but can be administered by trained staff such as nurses and midwives.
For detailed information about contraindications, special warnings, or precautions of use, please contact Linde Healthcare [link].