Anesthetics are prescription drugs that a doctor or nurse practitioner administers to you before surgery or other medical procedures in order to induce sleep or relax you so that you do not experience pain or discomfort. Doctors can choose from many anesthetics, including sevoflurane, marketed as Ultane. Although it is effective, sevoflurane is not for everyone, as it carries several risks for side effects and complications in some patients.
Common Side Effects
About 25 percent of patients who receive sevoflurane report nausea, making this the drug's most common side effect. Vomiting and coughing are also common, occurring in at least 10 percent of patients. From 5 percent to 9 percent of patients experience changes in heart rhythm, agitation, difficulty breathing, decreases in blood pressure, shivering and tiredness after the medical procedure is complete.
Other Side Effects
Sevoflurane has the potential to cause several other troublesome or annoying, but not dangerous, side effects. Neurological and psychiatric side effects include crying, confusion, nervousness and dry mouth. Effects on the skin and sensory organs include itching, rash, temporary lazy eye, changes in taste and an increased incidence of eye infections such as conjunctivitis. Other possible side effects of sevoflurane are increased salivation, fever, tingling in the extremities and hiccups.
Drug Interactions
Some medications produce unwanted side effects when used in conjunction with sevoflurane. When taken with muscle relaxants, sevoflurane heightens the effects, often leading to muscle weakness. Because sevoflurane slows your respiratory system, be careful not to take other medications that will further suppress your breathing for at least 24 hours after receiving sevoflurane. Examples of drugs to avoid include narcotics, sleeping pills and sedatives, antiepileptic drugs and anti-anxiety medications.
Risks
In some patients, sevoflurane causes damage to the kidneys, resulting in decreased production of urine or even acute kidney failure. Another rare complication from sevoflurane use is hypothermia, a dangerous drop in body temperature that can lead to shock. Sevoflurane also raises potassium levels in your body. In some cases, this causes a condition called hyperkalemia, which can damage or interfere with the heart and cardiovascular system.
Considerations
Because there is not yet sufficient evidence that sevoflurane has no unwanted effects on a fetus, doctors typically do not use the drug on pregnant women. Sevoflurane often causes drowsiness, so doctors recommend that you not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after your procedure. If you have kidney or heart disease, your doctor may not use this anesthetic because of its potential side effects.
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