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Technical details about Sevoflurane, learn more about the structure, uses, toxicity, action, side effects and more

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2D Structure
Also known as: 28523-86-6, Ultane, Sevofluran, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)propane, Sevorane, Sojourn
Molecular Formula
C4H3F7O
Molecular Weight
200.05  g/mol
InChI Key
DFEYYRMXOJXZRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
FDA UNII
38LVP0K73A

A non-explosive inhalation anesthetic used in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. It does not cause respiratory irritation and may also prevent PLATELET AGGREGATION.
Sevoflurane is a General Anesthetic. The physiologic effect of sevoflurane is by means of General Anesthesia.
1 2D Structure

2D Structure

2 Identification
2.1 Computed Descriptors
2.1.1 IUPAC Name
1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)propane
2.1.2 InChI
InChI=1S/C4H3F7O/c5-1-12-2(3(6,7)8)4(9,10)11/h2H,1H2
2.1.3 InChI Key
DFEYYRMXOJXZRJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
2.1.4 Canonical SMILES
C(OC(C(F)(F)F)C(F)(F)F)F
2.2 Other Identifiers
2.2.1 UNII
38LVP0K73A
2.3 Synonyms
2.3.1 MeSH Synonyms

1. Bax 3084

2. Fluoromethyl Hexafluoroisopropyl Ether

3. Fluoromethyl-2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl Ether

4. Sevorane

5. Ultane

2.3.2 Depositor-Supplied Synonyms

1. 28523-86-6

2. Ultane

3. Sevofluran

4. 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)propane

5. Sevorane

6. Sojourn

7. Mr6s4

8. Sevoflo

9. Sevofluranum

10. Sevoflurano

11. Sevofluranum [inn-latin]

12. Sevoflurano [inn-spanish]

13. Fluoromethyl 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl Ether

14. Sevocalm

15. Propane, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)-

16. Mr-6s4

17. Fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl Ether

18. Nsc-760367

19. 38lvp0k73a

20. Chebi:9130

21. Propane,1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)-

22. Ncgc00167421-01

23. Sevofrane

24. Bax 3084

25. Petrem

26. Fluoromethyl 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyl Ether (sevoflurane)

27. Ultane (tn)

28. Brn 2041023

29. Unii-38lvp0k73a

30. Hsdb 8059

31. Mfcd00153189

32. Sevoflurane [usan:usp:inn:ban:jan]

33. Sevoflurane [mi]

34. Sevoflurane [inn]

35. Sevoflurane [jan]

36. F0691

37. Sevoflurane [usan]

38. Sevoflurane [vandf]

39. (cf3)2choch2f

40. Dsstox_cid_26614

41. Dsstox_rid_81767

42. Sevoflurane [mart.]

43. Dsstox_gsid_46614

44. Schembl61918

45. Sevoflurane [usp-rs]

46. Sevoflurane [who-dd]

47. Gtpl7296

48. Chembl1200694

49. Dtxsid8046614

50. Sevoflurane [green Book]

51. Sevoflurane (jp17/usan/inn)

52. Sevoflurane [ep Impurity]

53. Sevoflurane [orange Book]

54. Hms3264n21

55. Pharmakon1600-01503680

56. Sevoflurane [ep Monograph]

57. Sevoflurane [usp Impurity]

58. Sevoflurane [usp Monograph]

59. Zinc1530810

60. Tox21_112425

61. Ether, Fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)ethyl-

62. Nsc760367

63. Akos007930500

64. Ccg-213707

65. Db01236

66. Nsc 760367

67. Ncgc00167421-02

68. Sevoflurane [ema Epar Veterinary]

69. Ac-15484

70. As-13261

71. Fluoromethyl 2h-hexafluoroprop-2-yl Ether

72. Cas-28523-86-6

73. Db-047409

74. Ft-0605909

75. S2464

76. 6-chlorobenzimidazole-4-carboxylicacid

77. C07520

78. D00547

79. D78401

80. Ab01563174_01

81. 523f866

82. A819479

83. Q419394

84. Sr-01000944968

85. J-524240

86. Sr-01000944968-1

87. 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-(fluoromethoxy)propane;sevoflurane

2.4 Create Date
2005-03-25
3 Chemical and Physical Properties
Molecular Weight 200.05 g/mol
Molecular Formula C4H3F7O
XLogP32.8
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count0
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count8
Rotatable Bond Count2
Exact Mass200.00721185 g/mol
Monoisotopic Mass200.00721185 g/mol
Topological Polar Surface Area9.2 Ų
Heavy Atom Count12
Formal Charge0
Complexity121
Isotope Atom Count0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count0
Covalently Bonded Unit Count1
4 Drug and Medication Information
4.1 Drug Information
1 of 6  
Drug NameSevoflurane
PubMed HealthSevoflurane (By breathing)
Drug ClassesVolatile Liquid
Drug LabelSevoflurane, USP, volatile liquid for inhalation, a nonflammable and nonexplosive liquid administered by vaporization, is a halogenated general inhalation anesthetic drug. Sevoflurane, USP is fluoromethyl 2,2,2,-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethyl et...
Active IngredientSevoflurane
Dosage FormLiquid
RouteInhalation
Strength100%
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyBaxter Hlthcare; Halocarbon Prods

2 of 6  
Drug NameSojourn
PubMed HealthSevoflurane (By breathing)
Drug ClassesVolatile Liquid
Drug LabelSojourn (sevoflurane, USP), a volatile liquid for inhalation, a nonflammable and nonexplosive liquid administered by vaporization, is a halogenated general inhalation anesthetic drug. Sevoflurane is fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)...
Active IngredientSevoflurane
Dosage FormLiquid
RouteInhalation
Strength100%
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyPiramal Critical

3 of 6  
Drug NameUltane
Drug LabelULTANE (sevoflurane), volatile liquid for inhalation, a nonflammable and nonexplosive liquid administered by vaporization, is a halogenated general inhalation anesthetic drug. Sevoflurane is fluoromethyl 2,2,2,-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethyl eth...
Active IngredientSevoflurane
Dosage FormLiquid
RouteInhalation
Strength100%
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyAbbvie

4 of 6  
Drug NameSevoflurane
PubMed HealthSevoflurane (By breathing)
Drug ClassesVolatile Liquid
Drug LabelSevoflurane, USP, volatile liquid for inhalation, a nonflammable and nonexplosive liquid administered by vaporization, is a halogenated general inhalation anesthetic drug. Sevoflurane, USP is fluoromethyl 2,2,2,-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethyl et...
Active IngredientSevoflurane
Dosage FormLiquid
RouteInhalation
Strength100%
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyBaxter Hlthcare; Halocarbon Prods

5 of 6  
Drug NameSojourn
PubMed HealthSevoflurane (By breathing)
Drug ClassesVolatile Liquid
Drug LabelSojourn (sevoflurane, USP), a volatile liquid for inhalation, a nonflammable and nonexplosive liquid administered by vaporization, is a halogenated general inhalation anesthetic drug. Sevoflurane is fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl)...
Active IngredientSevoflurane
Dosage FormLiquid
RouteInhalation
Strength100%
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyPiramal Critical

6 of 6  
Drug NameUltane
Drug LabelULTANE (sevoflurane), volatile liquid for inhalation, a nonflammable and nonexplosive liquid administered by vaporization, is a halogenated general inhalation anesthetic drug. Sevoflurane is fluoromethyl 2,2,2,-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethyl eth...
Active IngredientSevoflurane
Dosage FormLiquid
RouteInhalation
Strength100%
Market StatusPrescription
CompanyAbbvie

4.2 Therapeutic Uses

Sevoflurane is an inhalational anesthetic agent for use in induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. Minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in oxygen for a 40-year-old adult is 2.1%. The MAC of sevoflurane decreases with age. /Included in US product label/

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


Sevoflurane (n = 29) was compared to isoflurane (n = 27) in ASA Class I or II patients for the maintenance of anesthesia during cesarean section. Newborn evaluations and recovery events were recorded. With both anesthetics, Apgar scores averaged 8 and 9 at 1 and 5 minutes, respectively. Use of sevoflurane as part of general anesthesia for elective cesarean section produced no untoward effects in mother or neonate. ... /Included in US product label/

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


Sevoflurane is indicated for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adult and pediatric patients for inpatient and outpatient surgery. /Included in US product label/

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


/EXPERIMENTAL THER:/ Volatile anesthetic agents have been recognized for their neuroprotective properties since the 1960s. However, little is known regarding the potential retinoprotective effects of preconditioning by anesthetic drugs. Retinal ischemia can be modeled by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). /Investigators/ studied the degree of ischemic injury with preconditioning by sevoflurane in the rat retina. During the BCCAO operation and preconditioning Wistar rats were anesthetized with 1 MAC of sevoflurane. ... /Four groups were examined/: non- and preconditioning groups in control and BCCAO animals. The duration of preconditioning period was 1 hr and it was performed 1 day before BCCAO. The retinas were processed for histological evaluation after 2 weeks survival to determine the cell number in the ganglion cell layer and the thickness of the whole retina and that of all retinal layers. BCCAO-induced retinal ischemic injury was ameliorated by sevoflurane preconditioning. Retinal thickness and the cell number in the ganglion cell layer were more retained in preconditioned animals after BCCAO compared to non-preconditioned group. These results suggest that preconditioning using sevoflurane could provide a new perspective in retinoprotective strategies.

PMID:22684245 Szabadfi K et al; J Mol Histol 43 (5): 565-9 (2012)


For more Therapeutic Uses (Complete) data for Sevoflurane (7 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.3 Drug Warning

Potassium hydroxide containing CO2 absorbents (e.g. BARALYME) are not recommended for use with sevoflurane, USP.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for PETREM (sevoflurane) injection, solution (June 2010). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=ad274882-3c54-489f-bf78-c200b8ab348d


VET: Infrequent adverse reactions include paddling, retching, salivation, cyanosis, premature ventricular contractions and excessive cardiopulmonary depression. Transient elevations in liver function tests and white blood cell count may occur with sevoflurane, USP, as with the use of other halogenated anesthetic agents.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for PETREM (sevoflurane) injection, solution (June 2010). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=ad274882-3c54-489f-bf78-c200b8ab348d


VET: The most frequently reported adverse reactions during maintenance anesthesia were hypotension, followed by tachypnea, muscle tenseness, excitation, apnea, muscle fasciculations and emesis.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for PETREM (sevoflurane) injection, solution (June 2010). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=ad274882-3c54-489f-bf78-c200b8ab348d


Although data from controlled clinical studies at low flow rates are limited, findings taken from patient and animal studies suggest that there is a potential for renal injury which is presumed due to Compound A. Animal and human studies demonstrate that sevoflurane administered for more than 2 MAC hours and at fresh gas flow rates of < 2 L/min may be associated with proteinuria and glycosuria.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


For more Drug Warnings (Complete) data for Sevoflurane (13 total), please visit the HSDB record page.


4.4 Drug Indication

Used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adult and pediatric patients for inpatient and outpatient surgery.


FDA Label


For the induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in dogs and cats.


5 Pharmacology and Biochemistry
5.1 Pharmacology

Sevoflurane induces muscle relaxation and reduces pains sensitivity by altering tissue excitability with a fast onset of action. It does so by decreasing the extent of gap junction mediated cell-cell coupling and altering the activity of the channels that underlie the action potential.


5.2 MeSH Pharmacological Classification

Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

Drugs or agents which antagonize or impair any mechanism leading to blood platelet aggregation, whether during the phases of activation and shape change or following the dense-granule release reaction and stimulation of the prostaglandin-thromboxane system. (See all compounds classified as Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors.)


Anesthetics, Inhalation

Gases or volatile liquids that vary in the rate at which they induce anesthesia; potency; the degree of circulation, respiratory, or neuromuscular depression they produce; and analgesic effects. Inhalation anesthetics have advantages over intravenous agents in that the depth of anesthesia can be changed rapidly by altering the inhaled concentration. Because of their rapid elimination, any postoperative respiratory depression is of relatively short duration. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p173) (See all compounds classified as Anesthetics, Inhalation.)


5.3 FDA Pharmacological Classification
5.3.1 Active Moiety
SEVOFLURANE
5.3.2 FDA UNII
38LVP0K73A
5.3.3 Pharmacological Classes
General Anesthetic [EPC]; General Anesthesia [PE]
5.4 ATC Code

QN01AB08


N01AB08

S76 | LUXPHARMA | Pharmaceuticals Marketed in Luxembourg | Pharmaceuticals marketed in Luxembourg, as published by d'Gesondheetskeess (CNS, la caisse nationale de sante, www.cns.lu), mapped by name to structures using CompTox by R. Singh et al. (in prep.). List downloaded from https://cns.public.lu/en/legislations/textes-coordonnes/liste-med-comm.html. Dataset DOI:10.5281/zenodo.4587355


N - Nervous system

N01 - Anesthetics

N01A - Anesthetics, general

N01AB - Halogenated hydrocarbons

N01AB08 - Sevoflurane


5.5 Absorption, Distribution and Excretion

Absorption

Rapidly absorbed into circulation via the lungs, however solubility in the blood is low.


Route of Elimination

The low solubility of sevoflurane facilitates rapid elimination via the lungs. In vivo metabolism studies suggest that approximately 5% of the sevoflurane dose may be metabolized. Up to 3.5% of the sevoflurane dose appears in the urine as inorganic fluoride.


Up to 3.5% of the sevoflurane dose appears in the urine as inorganic fluoride. Studies on fluoride indicate that up to 50% of fluoride clearance is nonrenal (via fluoride being taken up into bone).

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


The low solubility of sevoflurane facilitates rapid elimination via the lungs. The rate of elimination is quantified as the rate of change of the alveolar (end-tidal) concentration following termination of anesthesia (FA), relative to the last alveolar concentration (FaO) measured immediately before discontinuance of the anesthetic.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


Fluoride ion concentrations are influenced by the duration of anesthesia, the concentration of sevoflurane administered, and the composition of the anesthetic gas mixture. In studies where anesthesia was maintained purely with sevoflurane for periods ranging from 1 to 6 hours, peak fluoride concentrations ranged between 12 uM and 90 uM. Peak concentrations occur within 2 hours of the end of anesthesia and are less than 25 uM (475 ng/mL) for the majority of the population after 10 hours.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for PETREM (sevoflurane) injection, solution (June 2010). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=ad274882-3c54-489f-bf78-c200b8ab348d


The concentrations of sevoflurane in milk are probably of no clinical importance 24 hours after anesthesia. Because of rapid washout, sevoflurane concentrations in milk are predicted to be below those found with many other volatile anesthetics.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


Compared with healthy individuals, the fluoride ion half-life was prolonged in patients with renal impairment, but not in the elderly. A study in 8 patients with hepatic impairment suggests a slight prolongation of the half-life. The mean half-life in patients with renal impairment averaged approximately 33 hours (range 21-61 hours) as compared to a mean of approximately 21 hours (range 10-48 hours) in normal healthy individuals. The mean half-life in the elderly (greater than 65 years) approximated 24 hours (range 18-72 hours). The mean half-life in individuals with hepatic impairment was 23 hours (range 16-47 hours).

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


5.6 Metabolism/Metabolites

Relatively little biotransformation, only 5% is metabolized by cytochrome P450 CYP2E1 to hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) with release of inorganic fluoride and CO2. No other metabolic pathways have been identified for sevoflurane.


Renal and hepatic toxicity of the fluorinated ether volatile anesthetics is caused by biotransformation to toxic metabolites. Metabolism also contributes significantly to the elimination pharmacokinetics of some volatile agents. Although innumerable studies have explored anesthetic metabolism in animals, there is little information on human volatile anesthetic metabolism with respect to comparative rates or the identity of the enzymes responsible for defluorination. The first purpose of this investigation was to compare the metabolism of the fluorinated ether anesthetics by human liver microsomes. The second purpose was to test the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 2E1 is the specific P450 isoform responsible for volatile anesthetic defluorination in humans. Microsomes were prepared from human livers. Anesthetic metabolism in microsomal incubations was measured by fluoride production. The strategy for evaluating the role of P450 2E1 in anesthetic defluorination involved three approaches: for a series of 12 human livers, correlation of microsomal defluorination rate with microsomal P450 2E1 content (measured by Western blot analysis), correlation of defluorination rate with microsomal P450 2E1 catalytic activity using marker substrates (para-nitrophenol hydroxylation and chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation), and chemical inhibition by P450 isoform-selective inhibitors. The rank order of anesthetic metabolism, assessed by fluoride production at saturating substrate concentrations, was methoxyflurane > sevoflurane > enflurane > isoflurane > desflurane > 0. There was a significant linear correlation of sevoflurane and methoxyflurane defluorination with antigenic P450 2E1 content (r = 0.98 and r = 0.72, respectively), but not with either P450 1A2 or P450 3A3/4. Comparison of anesthetic defluorination with either para-nitrophenol or chlorzoxazone hydroxylation showed a significant correlation for sevoflurane (r = 0.93, r = 0.95) and methoxyflurane (r = 0.78, r = 0.66). Sevoflurane defluorination was also highly correlated with that of enflurane (r = 0.93), which is known to be metabolized by human P450 2E1. Diethyldithiocarbamate, a selective inhibitor of P450 2E1, produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of sevoflurane, methoxyflurane, and isoflurane defluorination. No other isoform-selective inhibitor diminished the defluorination of sevoflurane, whereas methoxyflurane defluorination was inhibited by the selective P450 inhibitors furafylline (P450 1A2), sulfaphenazole (P450 2C9/10), and quinidine (P450 2D6) but to a much lesser extent than by diethyldithiocarbamate. These results demonstrate that cytochrome P450 2E1 is the principal, if not sole human liver microsomal enzyme catalyzing the defluorination of sevoflurane. P450 2E1 is the principal, but not exclusive enzyme responsible for the metabolism of methoxyflurane, which also appears to be catalyzed by P450s 1A2, 2C9/10, and 2D6. The data also suggest that P450 2E1 is responsible for a significant fraction of isoflurane metabolism. Identification of P450 2E1 as the major anesthetic metabolizing enzyme in humans provides a mechanistic understanding of clinical fluorinated ether anesthetic metabolism and toxicity.

PMID:8214760 Kharasch ED, Thummel KE; Anesthesiology 79 (4): 795-807 (1993)


Sevoflurane, USP is metabolized to hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) with release of inorganic fluoride and CO2. Fluoride ion concentrations are influenced by the duration of anesthesia and the concentration of sevoflurane, USP. Once formed, HFIP is rapidly conjugated with glucuronic acid and eliminated as a urinary metabolite. No other metabolic pathways for sevoflurane, USP have been identified. In humans, the fluoride ion half-life was prolonged in patients with renal impairment, but human clinical trials contained no reports of toxicity associated with elevated fluoride ion levels.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for PETREM (sevoflurane) injection, solution (June 2010). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=ad274882-3c54-489f-bf78-c200b8ab348d


Cytochrome P450 2E1 is the principal isoform identified for sevoflurane metabolism and this may be induced by chronic exposure to isoniazid and ethanol. This is similar to the metabolism of isoflurane and enflurane and is distinct from that of methoxyflurane which is metabolized via a variety of cytochrome P450 isoforms. The metabolism of sevoflurane is not inducible by barbiturates. As shown in Figure 5, inorganic fluoride concentrations peak within 2 hours of the end of sevoflurane anesthesia and return to baseline concentrations within 48 hours post-anesthesia in the majority of cases (67%). The rapid and extensive pulmonary elimination of sevoflurane minimizes the amount of anesthetic available for metabolism.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


Sevoflurane is metabolized by cytochrome P450 2E1, to hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) with release of inorganic fluoride and CO2. Once formed HFIP is rapidly conjugated with glucuronic acid and eliminated as a urinary metabolite. No other metabolic pathways for sevoflurane have been identified. In vivo metabolism studies suggest that approximately 5% of the sevoflurane dose may be metabolized.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


In a study in which 4 dogs were exposed to 4% sevoflurane, USP for 3 hours, maximum serum fluoride concentrations of 17.0-27.0 umole/L were observed after 3 hours of anesthesia. Serum fluoride fell quickly after anesthesia ended, and had returned to baseline by 24 hours post-anesthesia.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for PETREM (sevoflurane) injection, solution (June 2010). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=ad274882-3c54-489f-bf78-c200b8ab348d


5.7 Biological Half-Life

15-23 hours


Compared with healthy individuals, the fluoride ion half-life was prolonged in patients with renal impairment, but not in the elderly. A study in 8 patients with hepatic impairment suggests a slight prolongation of the half-life. The mean half-life in patients with renal impairment averaged approximately 33 hours (range 21-61 hours) as compared to a mean of approximately 21 hours (range 10-48 hours) in normal healthy individuals. The mean half-life in the elderly (greater than 65 years) approximated 24 hours (range 18-72 hours). The mean half-life in individuals with hepatic impairment was 23 hours (range 16-47 hours).

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


The half-life is in the range of 15-23 hours.

US Natl Inst Health; DailyMed. Current Medication Information for ULTANE (sevoflurane) liquid (May 2011). Available from, as of June 9, 2012: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=4c6e76bc-c964-4955-e0a3-511d3386a9cc


5.8 Mechanism of Action

Sevoflurane induces a reduction in junctional conductance by decreasing gap junction channel opening times and increasing gap junction channel closing times. Sevoflurane also activates calcium dependent ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum by increasing the fluidity of the lipid membrane. It also appears to bind the D subunit of ATP synthase and NADH dehydogenase and also binds to the GABA receptor, the large conductance Ca2+ activated potassium channel, the glutamate receptor, and the glycine receptor.


Sevoflurane is widely used as a volatile anesthetic in clinical practice. However, its mechanism is still unclear. ...It has been reported that voltage-gated sodium channels have important roles in anesthetic mechanisms. Much attention has been paid to the effects of sevoflurane on voltage-dependent sodium channels. To elucidate this, /investigators/ examined the effects of sevoflurane on Na(v) 1.8, Na(v) 1.4, and Na(v) 1.7 expressed in Xenopus oocytes. The effects of sevoflurane on Na(v) 1.8, Na(v) 1.4, and Na(v) 1.7 sodium channels were studied by an electrophysiology method using whole-cell, two-electrode voltage-clamp techniques in Xenopus oocytes. Sevoflurane at 1.0 mM inhibited the voltage-gated sodium channels Na(v)1.8, Na(v)1.4, and Na(v)1.7, but sevoflurane (0.5 mM) had little effect. This inhibitory effect of 1 mM sevoflurane was completely abolished by pretreatment with protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, bisindolylmaleimide I. Sevoflurane appears to have inhibitory effects on Na(v)1.8, Na(v)1.4, and Na(v) 1.7 by PKC pathways. However, these sodium channels might not be related to the clinical anesthetic effects of sevoflurane.

PMID:21656091 Yokoyama T et al; J Anesth 25 (4): 609-13 (2011)


Sevoflurane has been demonstrated to vasodilate the feto-placental vasculature. /Investigators/ aimed to determine the contribution of modulation of potassium and calcium channel function to the vasodilatory effect of sevoflurane in isolated human chorionic plate arterial rings. Quadruplicate ex vivo human chorionic plate arterial rings were used in all studies. Series 1 and 2 examined the role of the K+ channel in sevoflurane-mediated vasodilation. Separate experiments examined whether tetraethylammonium, which blocks large conductance calcium activated K+ (KCa++) channels (Series 1A+B) or glibenclamide, which blocks the ATP sensitive K+ (KATP) channel (Series 2), modulated sevoflurane-mediated vasodilation. Series 3 - 5 examined the role of the Ca++ channel in sevoflurane induced vasodilation. Separate experiments examined whether verapamil, which blocks the sarcolemmal voltage-operated Ca++ channel (Series 3), SK&F 96365 an inhibitor of sarcolemmal voltage-independent Ca++ channels (Series 4A+B), or ryanodine an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca++ channel (Series 5A+B), modulated sevoflurane-mediated vasodilation. Sevoflurane produced dose dependent vasodilatation of chorionic plate arterial rings in all studies. Prior blockade of the KCa++ and KATP channels augmented the vasodilator effects of sevoflurane. Furthermore, exposure of rings to sevoflurane in advance of TEA occluded the effects of TEA. Taken together, these findings suggest that sevoflurane blocks K+ channels. Blockade of the voltage-operated Ca++channels inhibited the vasodilator effects of sevoflurane. In contrast, blockade of the voltage-independent and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca++channels did not alter sevoflurane vasodilation. Sevoflurane appears to block chorionic arterial KCa++ and KATP channels. Sevoflurane also blocks voltage-operated calcium channels, and exerts a net vasodilatory effect in the in vitro feto-placental circulation.

PMID:19515255 Full text: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2702293 Jarman J et al; BMC Anesthesiol 9: 4 (2009)


Administration of sevoflurane at the onset of reperfusion has been confirmed to provide a cerebral protection. However, little is known about the mechanism. In this study, /investigators/ tested the hypothesis that sevoflurane postconditioning induces neuroprotection through the up-regulation hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) involving phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. In the first experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia. Postconditioning was performed by exposure to 2.5% sevoflurane immediately at the onset of reperfusion. The mRNA and protein expression of HIF-1 alpha and its target gene, HO-1, intact neurons and the activity of caspase-3 was evaluated at 6, 24 and 72 hr after reperfusion. In the second experiment, ... the relationship between PI3K/Akt pathway and the expression of HIF-1alpha and HO-1 in the neuroprotection induced by sevoflurane /was investigated/. Cerebral infarct volume, apoptotic neuron and the expression of HIF-1alpha, HO-1 and p-Akt were evaluated at 24hr after reperfusion. Compared with the control group, sevoflurane postconditiong significantly ameliorated neuronal injury, up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1 alpha and HO-1, inhibited the activity of caspase-3, and decreased the number of TUNEL-positive cells and infarct sizes. However, the selective PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin not only partly eliminated the neuroprotection of sevoflurane as shown by reducing infarct size and apoptotic neuronal cells, but also reversed the elevation of HIF-1 alpha, HO-1 and p-Akt expression in the ischemic penumbra induced by sevoflurane. Therefore, /the/ data demonstrates that the cerebral protection from sevoflurane postconditioning is partly mediated by PI3K/Akt pathway via the up-regulation of HIF-1 alpha and HO-1.

PMID:22580326 Ye Z et al; Brain Res 1463: 63-74 (2012)


Sevoflurane is widely used for anesthesia, and is commonly used together with opioids in clinical practice. However, the effects of sevoflurane on mu-opioid receptor (uOR) functions is still unclear. In this study, the effects of sevoflurane on uOR functions were analyzed by using Xenopus oocytes expressing a uOR fused to chimeric G alpha protein G(qi5) (uOR-G(qi5)). Sevoflurane by itself did not elicit any currents in oocytes expressing uOR-G(qi5), whereas sevoflurane inhibited the [D-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO)-induced Cl(-) currents at clinically used concentrations. Sevoflurane did not affect the Cl(-) currents induced by AlF(4)(-), which directly led to activation of G proteins. The inhibitory effects of sevoflurane on the DAMGO-induced currents were not observed in oocytes pretreated with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X. These findings suggest that sevoflurane would inhibit uOR function. Further, the mechanism of inhibition by sevoflurane would be mediated by PKC.

PMID:21912198 Minami K et al; Pharmacology 88 (3-4): 127-32 (2011)


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