Этран

Quick links to important sections

Этран

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Этран

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active Ingredient Энфлуран (Enflurane)
Form Volatile Liquid for Inhalation Anesthesia
Pharmacological Class General Anesthetic Agent
General Purpose Induction and Maintenance of General Anesthesia
Origin Synthetic (Halogenated Ether Compound)

Этран: Definition and Pharmacological Classification

Этран (Enflurane) is a synthetic pharmaceutical agent whose sole active ingredient is Энфлуран (Enflurane). This substance is chemically recognized as a halogenated ether compound and is formally classified as a general anesthetic agent, specifically belonging to the group of halogenated inhalation anesthetics. Its chemical structure and properties define its use in inducing anesthesia. This monopreparation, containing only one therapeutic substance, is entirely synthetic in origin and clinically recognized for providing reliable control during the anesthetic process. Popular brands containing this active ingredient include Ethrane, Enfran, and Enlirane.


Composition, Form, and General Purpose

The medication is administered as a volatile liquid for inhalation anesthesia. This physical characteristic means the liquid readily converts into a breathable vapor, which is its intended form for delivery to the patient. This inhalational route of administration is essential to its function. The principal function of Этран is to safely and reliably induce and maintain the state of general anesthesia required for patients undergoing major surgical procedures, such as abdominal surgery or orthopedic repair. This capability is critical for creating a controlled, temporary depression of the central nervous system, resulting in the necessary loss of consciousness and bodily stillness required for the surgical environment.

What side effects are possible with Этран?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for Этран (Enflurane) outlines the potential adverse reactions and safety characteristics documented in official regulatory sources, organized by system and clinical significance. This information is descriptive and not intended as clinical advice.


System-Organ Safety Groupings

Adverse reactions are officially documented across several body systems. Nervous System Disorders include the risk of seizure activity and temporary post-operative intellectual impairment. Vascular Disorders typically involve hypotension (low blood pressure), a dose-dependent effect of the anesthetic, while Cardiac Disorders may include arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Gastrointestinal effects commonly reported post-procedure are nausea and vomiting.


Serious Adverse Reactions and Key Constraints

The most serious documented safety concerns are rare but critical. These include Malignant Hyperthermia (MH), a severe hypermetabolic state in susceptible individuals, and Severe Hepatic Injury, including rare cases of hepatic failure. In pediatric patients, a rare risk of life-threatening perioperative hyperkalemia leading to cardiac arrhythmias is also documented. Safety restrictions include the contraindication of Enflurane in individuals with a known or suspected genetic susceptibility to MH or those with pre-existing seizure disorders.


Population and Exposure Considerations

For obstetric patients, higher concentrations of the medicine may cause uterine relaxation and an increase in uterine bleeding. The level of hypotension and the progression of seizure activity are explicitly documented as increasing with the depth of anesthesia. Furthermore, some decrease in intellectual function and changes in mood may persist for several days after the procedure.

Overdose and Emergency Response

️ Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory documentation states that an overdose or excessively high concentration of Энфлуран (Enflurane) primarily results in severe neurological and systemic manifestations.

Documented Manifestations and Severe Outcomes

High concentrations can lead to signs of Central Nervous System (CNS) excitation, including the onset of frank seizure activity and involuntary motor twitching. Regulatory warnings emphasize the potential for a life-threatening hypermetabolic crisis known as Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) in susceptible individuals. MH is clinically characterized by severe muscle rigidity, rapidly rising temperature, tachycardia, and acute metabolic derangement. Overdose is also associated with hypotension and significant respiratory depression. In rare cases, perioperative hyperkalemia resulting in cardiac arrhythmias and death has been documented, particularly in pediatric patients.

Required Emergency Actions

It is officially mandated that the administration of the agent must be immediately stopped upon the suspicion of overdose or the onset of Malignant Hyperthermia. Immediate medical attention must be sought if any sign of MH is observed. Emergency protocols require establishing a patent airway and providing assisted ventilation with pure oxygen. Management of Malignant Hyperthermia specifically requires the administration of intravenous dantrolene sodium alongside aggressive supportive therapy to manage circulatory support and correct the electrolyte imbalance.

Therapeutic Uses of Этран

What Этран Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The therapeutic role of Этран (Enflurane) is defined by its use as a general anesthetic agent primarily utilized in the management of general anesthesia.

Этран is relevant across conditions presenting with acute episodes that require the controlled, temporary loss of sensation. Its applications commonly include inducing and maintaining general anesthesia for minor and major surgical procedures, and providing supportive relief during labor for vaginal delivery, and for Cesarean sections.


Symptomatic Relief and Patient Support

The medication helps address symptom clusters related to overwhelming physical pain, uncontrolled muscle activity, and the retention of consciousness or memory during an operation. It is applied in clinical settings to ease the physiological strain associated with these intense experiences. This offers symptomatic relief that helps maintain a sense of stability for the patient and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.


Therapeutic Support for Acute Procedural Symptoms

Symptom Domain Primary Benefit
Consciousness/Memory Temporary loss of awareness
Pain/Sensation Supportive relief from severe physical discomfort
Movement/Reflexes Helps manage disruptive involuntary motor activity

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility for Этран (Enflurane) Use

Official regulatory guidelines define specific populations for whom Этран (Enflurane) is indicated and groups for whom its use is strictly prohibited.

Populations Contraindicated (Must Not Use)

Use of the medicine is absolutely contraindicated for individuals with certain conditions, according to official regulatory labels:

  • Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) Susceptibility: Those with known or suspected genetic susceptibility to MH must not use Этран.
  • Neuromuscular Disease: Patients with overt or latent conditions, particularly Duchenne muscular dystrophy, are excluded due to associated risks.
  • Prior Hepatic Injury: Contraindicated for those who have experienced unexplained fever, jaundice, or liver dysfunction after previous exposure to any halogenated anesthetic agent.
  • Seizure/Convulsive Disorders: Prohibited due to the risk of cortical stimulation.

Restricted and Conditional Use

The medicine is established for use in adults for general anesthesia. Its use in specific patient groups requires caution or carries restrictions:

  • Obstetric Patients: Higher concentrations are restricted during vaginal or Cesarean section procedures due to the risk of uterine relaxation and increased bleeding.
  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Classified as Pregnancy Category B, meaning use is only recommended if clearly needed. Caution is advised for nursing mothers as excretion into human milk is unknown.
  • Age Groups: Pediatric use is acceptable but restricted in patients with neuromuscular disease. Older adults are identified as a group requiring precaution.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Official regulatory documents detail specific drug-drug and substance interactions for Enflurane (Этран), primarily related to pharmacodynamic potentiation and metabolic alteration. This section describes the formal interaction outcomes as stated in official labeling.

Documented Interaction Patterns

Interacting Substance/Class Regulatory Description of Interaction
Non-depolarizing Muscle Relaxants The effects of agents such as d-tubocurarine and pancuronium are markedly potentiated by Enflurane.
Hydrazine-containing Compounds Chronic ingestion of isoniazid may cause increased metabolism of Enflurane, resulting in greater exposure to the serum inorganic fluoride metabolite.
Oxytocin The myometrial response to Oxytocin is diminished or abolished by increasing Enflurane concentration.
Succinylcholine Co-administration is associated with a risk of perioperative hyperkalemia in pediatric patients and patients with neuromuscular disease.

Administration Restrictions

Regulatory labeling outlines specific administration constraints for co-administered agents. Epinephrine injection is limited to 2 mu g/kg subcutaneously over a 10-minute period. Furthermore, desiccated carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbents must be replaced prior to use to prevent a chemical reaction with Enflurane that generates Carbon Monoxide, which is an essential procedural restriction.

Mechanism of Action

Neutralizing the Master Inflammatory Mediator (TNF-alpha)

Этран operates as a soluble decoy receptor that selectively binds to and neutralizes circulating Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and, to a lesser extent, Lymphotoxin-alpha (TNF-beta) . This targeted interaction prevents these cytokines from activating their natural receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) on the surface of immune cells, resulting in the limitation of systemic inflammatory activity.


Interrupting Downstream Signal Transduction

The blockade of receptor binding stops the subsequent crucial intracellular signal transduction pathways, specifically the NF-kappaB cascade. Interrupting this mechanism prevents cells from generating a host of other pro-inflammatory and tissue-damaging mediators. The limitation of these mediators restricts enzymatic activity that mediates the breakdown of cartilage and bone.


Modulating Systemic Immune-Inflammatory Activity

By blocking the signaling of the ubiquitous TNF-alpha molecule, the drug exerts a systemic effect that modulates the entire immune-inflammatory network. This action reduces the migration and activation of various immune cells, including lymphocytes and macrophages, resulting in the decrease of immune cell-mediated activity.

Dosage and Administration Information

The use of Этран (Enflurane) follows specific administration guidelines that define a controlled, procedural approach to general anesthesia. The medicine is designated solely for the inhalation route and must be administered as a vaporized liquid using a calibrated vaporizer capable of delivering and adjusting predictable concentrations. This requirement ensures precise control throughout the procedure, which is defined by two acute phases: induction and maintenance.

For the induction phase, the inspired concentration is typically started between 2.0% and 4.5% to achieve surgical anesthesia, which is generally accomplished within seven to ten minutes. Following induction, the maintenance phase sustains the required level of anesthesia with continuously adjusted inspired concentrations, generally ranging from 0.5% to 3.0%. This pattern is characterized as continuous administration and is strictly limited to the duration of the acute surgical or obstetric procedure.

The administration must be performed only by personnel trained in general anesthesia in a setting with immediate access to airway maintenance and resuscitation equipment. Furthermore, established protocols specify required dose adjustments for co-administered drugs: non-depolarizing muscle relaxants are markedly potentiated by Этран, mandating a reduction in their usual dose. Specific low concentrations, such as 0.25% to 1.0%, are also outlined for use in providing supportive pain relief during vaginal delivery, illustrating the agent's distinct usage patterns for specific clinical scenarios.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Этран

Этран (Enflurane) is a medicinal vapor that was studied in research regarding its application as a general anesthetic agent. The research base is comprised mainly of comparative clinical trials and observational data. These studies assessed the compound’s physiological effects in various clinical settings, including during surgery and in labor.


Evidence for Use in General Anesthesia

The primary research for Этран focused on the research scenario of inducing and maintaining a state of general anesthesia for patients undergoing surgical procedures. This research relied on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and controlled comparative studies, where Этран was evaluated in adult populations undergoing minor and major surgery.

Studies were observed in surgical environments and research examined time-based outcomes, specifically monitoring the time required for a patient to lose consciousness (induction) and the time needed to fully recover consciousness (emergence).

What Remains Uncertain

Research so far indicates that the follow-up durations were typically limited to the immediate intraoperative and short-term postoperative period. This means that long-term functional or cognitive outcomes after exposure to Этран are not fully established by the core research. Additionally, much of the comparative evidence is historical, and comparative evidence is lacking against many of the newer anesthetic agents.


Research on Supportive Use in Obstetrics

Этран was also evaluated in clinical trials and observational settings to assess its potential application for supportive relief during childbirth. These studies specifically included pregnant women and research examined outcomes related to physical discomfort during labor, as well as the status of the newborn using standardized assessments like Apgar scores. The regulatory evidence also describes that studies monitored the drug's influence on uterine muscle tone, suggesting that higher concentrations may lead to uterine relaxation.


Evidence Gaps and Areas of Scientific Uncertainty

While Этран was studied for a clearly defined purpose, the research landscape presents several areas of limited evidence and uncertainty. Data for certain groups remain insufficient, such as pediatric populations. The findings are applicable primarily to the specific populations studied, and research does not offer individual predictions about whether long-term effects are associated with the anesthetic, the underlying condition, or the surgical procedure itself.

Key Studies & References

  1. Enflurane. Monograph: National Library of Medicine (NLM) ChemIDplus.
  2. Enflurane and isoflurane for neurosurgery. Comparative effects on cerebral blood flow and metabolism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Этран (FAQ)

Q: Is it normal to feel tired or dizzy when first starting Этран?

Regulatory documents indicate that the medicine can cause post-operative intellectual impairment and mood changes that may continue for several days after the procedure. This is the official documented basis for cognitive effects. While 'tiredness' or 'dizziness' are not explicitly listed in the major categories, the label notes these are related to the documented temporary cognitive and central nervous system effects described in official safety information.


Q: Are there any long-term safety concerns or side effects associated with Этран?

Studies and official information indicate that long-term functional or cognitive outcomes following exposure to the medicine are not fully established. This is because the clinical trials for the medicine typically had follow-up durations limited to the immediate post-operative period.


Q: Is Этран approved for use in children or adolescents?

Official product information confirms the medicine is indicated for use in both adult and pediatric patients for general anesthesia. However, its use is restricted for pediatric patients who have a known neuromuscular disease.


Q: How is Этран's safety described during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

The medicine is classified as Pregnancy Category B, meaning its use is generally recommended only if it is clearly needed. For nursing mothers, caution is advised because official documents state that excretion of the drug into human milk is unknown.


Q: Is Этран generally suitable for patients who have pre-existing kidney or liver conditions?

The medicine is contraindicated for use in individuals who have experienced liver dysfunction (hepatic injury) after previous exposure to any halogenated anesthetic. While the drug is metabolized in the body, official sources indicate that the resulting metabolite levels are generally well below the threshold associated with kidney damage.


Q: Why is there sometimes a caution about using Этран in patients with a history of heart issues?

Official safety documentation notes that the medicine can cause hypotension (low blood pressure) and arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats). Since these cardiovascular effects increase as the depth of anesthesia increases, patients with certain pre-existing heart conditions are identified as a group requiring precaution.


Q: What were the typical duration and size of the research studies conducted for Этран?

Regulatory summaries confirm that the research focused on time-based outcomes, such as the time required for a patient to lose consciousness and fully recover. However, the exact typical study sizes (the number of patients included in the trials) are not generally summarized in the core patient-facing regulatory documents.


Q: What is the function of the inactive ingredients found in the Этран tablet/capsule?

According to official product documentation, the medicine is a volatile liquid for inhalation and is not formulated as a tablet or capsule. The liquid is noted to have a purity exceeding 99.9% and no stabilizers or inactive ingredients are added to the formulation.


Q: Why is there a warning about driving or operating heavy machinery while using Этран?

The official warning is based on the documented adverse effects, which include post-operative intellectual impairment and changes in mood. These effects may persist for several days after the procedure, which is the reason for the caution regarding activities requiring high cognitive function, such as driving or operating machinery.


Q: What is the shelf life of Этран after the packaging is opened?

Official labeling specifies a stability period of over five years when the product is stored unopened at controlled room temperature. The regulatory documents do not specify a separate expiration or shelf life for the product once the container seal has been broken.


Q: How common are the side effects listed for Этран?

Regulatory labels list the potential adverse reactions documented during clinical research. However, official patient-facing documentation does not typically provide specific frequency data (such as percentages or categories like 'common' or 'rare') for these side effects.


Q: Can Этран be taken at the same time as common over-the-counter pain relievers?

Official regulatory documents detail specific drug-drug interactions, primarily involving prescription medications like muscle relaxants. Over-the-counter pain relievers are not explicitly listed as either a confirmed interaction or non-interaction in the official warnings.


Q: Is there a known interaction between Этран and alcohol consumption?

Official documents list specific drug-drug interactions but do not explicitly address the use of alcohol in the critical interaction warning sections intended for patient guidance.


Q: Where can a user find the official regulatory prescribing information for Этран?

Official prescribing information for the medicine can be found on public government-run databases. Examples include the FDA DailyMed/Drugs@FDA portal or the Health Canada Drug Product Database.


Q: Is Этран classified as a controlled substance in major regulatory regions?

The classification of the medicine varies by country. While it has historically been listed under Schedule VI in certain jurisdictions due to its anesthetic properties, its status is typically governed by specific anesthetic regulations in each region.


Q: What do official documents say about the risks of an accidental overdose of Этран?

Official regulatory documents include a section on Overdosage. This section details the signs of excessive exposure, such as profound hypotension (very low blood pressure) and respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing), along with the necessary clinical management required by trained personnel.


Q: Does taking Этран require regular blood tests or monitoring?

Administration of the medicine requires continuous monitoring of vital signs throughout the entire procedure. This monitoring, performed by trained personnel, includes airway pressure, heart activity (ECG), blood pressure, and the concentration of the anesthetic vapor.


Q: Is it possible to develop an allergy to the active ingredient in Этран?

While the term 'allergy' may not be explicitly used, the official label carries strong warnings about serious reactions linked to acute sensitivity. These include Malignant Hyperthermia susceptibility and the risk of Prior Hepatic Injury (liver damage) after exposure to any halogenated anesthetic.

How should Этран be stored and disposed of?

Storage Requirements

Этран (Enflurane), a volatile liquid, must be stored at controlled room temperature, specifically maintained between 15 C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F). The product is chemically stable, requiring no special protection from light, and has a documented stability period of over five years when stored under these conditions. Consistent with all medication safety rules, Этран must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal Instructions

Because Enflurane is a volatile chemical agent, unused or expired product must be disposed of according to local regulations for pharmaceutical or chemical waste. It is officially prohibited to dispose of the liquid by releasing it into drains, wastewater, or public sewer systems. Any accidental spills should be collected in sealable containers for appropriate waste management.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

Available in countries:

Equivalent of Этран found in:

A-Z Index: