MedicinehospitalEssential

Isoflurane

An inhaled anaesthetic used to start and maintain general anaesthesia.

Clinical information

Common uses

induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia

Common side effects

agitation or delirium on waking
cough or breath-holding
feeling or being sick
chills and shivering
throat spasm (laryngospasm)

Cautions

can trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible people
not after previous anaesthetic-related liver injury
high potassium can occur, especially in muscular dystrophy
over 3 hours in under-3s may affect developing brain

Interactions

nitrous oxide and opioids (less isoflurane needed)
muscle relaxants (doses reduced)

Pregnancy: no adequate human studies

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, Terrell (isoflurane) label, setid dfb26527-c5ab-44d0-9236-24b1600e0db4 (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations2

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Isoflurane	Aneasthetic Gas	—	MFDA designated importers with Pre Authorization approval before import	hospital
Isoflurane	Aneasthetic Gas	—	authorized medicine importers	hospital