sevoflurane at a glance
Medicine class
Halogenated volatile general anaesthetic
Usual role
Induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia for surgery
Administration
Vaporised with calibrated equipment and inhaled through a mask or breathing tube
Who administers it
A trained anaesthetist in a setting equipped for airway, breathing and circulation support
What is sevoflurane used for?
The selected products are licensed for:
Starting general anaesthesia in adults and children.
Maintaining general anaesthesia during inpatient or outpatient surgery.
Use across paediatric age groups; one selected product specifically includes full-term newborn babies.
How does sevoflurane work?
Sevoflurane alters signalling at several ion channels and neurotransmitter systems in the brain and spinal cord. This strengthens inhibitory activity and suppresses excitatory and motor pathways, producing reversible unconsciousness, reduced movement and diminished responses to surgery. Its low blood solubility supports relatively rapid changes in anaesthetic effect and recovery after administration stops.
How to take sevoflurane
Sevoflurane is not self-administered. A trained anaesthetist gives the vapour through a face mask or breathing tube using a vaporiser calibrated specifically for sevoflurane, while continuously monitoring the patient. Follow the hospital's instructions about fasting and whether to take usual medicines before the procedure.
Tell the anaesthetic team about all medicines, supplements and herbal products.
Mention previous anaesthetic reactions and any personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia.
Afterwards, follow the team's instructions about eating, drinking, supervision and activities.
sevoflurane side effects
Common or expected effects
- Feeling or being sick after the procedure
- Low blood pressure or a slow heartbeat
- Cough or temporary breathing-related effects
- Drowsiness, dizziness or headache
- Shivering or altered body temperature
- Agitation or confusion on waking, particularly in children
Get urgent medical advice
- Malignant hyperthermia, with rapidly rising temperature, muscle rigidity and cardiovascular instability
- Severe allergic reaction, including facial swelling, wheezing or breathing difficulty
- Marked respiratory depression or airway obstruction
- Serious abnormal heart rhythm or cardiac arrest
- Seizure
- Raised potassium with dangerous heart-rhythm changes, particularly in susceptible children
- Hepatitis, liver failure or jaundice
sevoflurane in pregnancy
Sevoflurane may be used during pregnancy when the specialist team considers general anaesthesia clearly necessary. Human evidence is limited, and its uterine-relaxant effect may increase bleeding; experience during labour and vaginal delivery is especially limited. The anaesthetist and obstetric team should weigh the procedure's need against these uncertainties.
sevoflurane while breastfeeding
It is uncertain whether sevoflurane or its metabolites enter breast milk, and the selected product information gives differing precautionary advice. Follow the anaesthetic or maternity team's product-specific advice, which should also consider other medicines used during surgery. Specialist input is particularly important when the infant is premature or unwell.
sevoflurane interactions
The anaesthetist should review all prescribed, non-prescribed and herbal products before treatment.
Opioids and benzodiazepines
Can add to effects on breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and depth of anaesthesia.
Non-depolarising neuromuscular blockers
Sevoflurane can strengthen and prolong muscle relaxation, so neuromuscular monitoring is important.
Common questions about sevoflurane
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is sevoflurane a gas or a liquid?
It is stored as a volatile liquid and converted into a controlled vapour for inhalation during anaesthesia.
Can sevoflurane be used for children?
Yes. The selected products are licensed for paediatric general anaesthesia; one specifically includes full-term newborn babies. Evidence for premature babies is limited.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.