Chloroform
Chloroform Information

About Chloroform

Chloroform is an inhalation anesthetic. Chemically Chloroform is trichloromethane. It was once widely used as an anesthetis and analgesic,and as a carminative, antitussive and counter-irritant, but Chloroform is not used now-a-days due to its toxic effects. The modern discovery of the intoxicant effects of inhalants began with Sir Humphry Davy in 1799, who administered nitrous oxide himself and others. As other anesthetic gases were introduced such as it and ether, they were also used socially. Inhaled gases are the mainstay of anesthesia and are primarily used for the maintenance of anesthesia after administration of an intravenous agent. The depth of anesthesia can be rapidly altered by changing the concentration of inhaled anesthetic. Most of the agents are rapidly eliminated from the body and donot cause post-operative respirtory depression but Chloroform is used rarely due to the serious side effects it produces on heart and liver.

Indications

Chloroform is primarily indicated in conditions like Anesthesia.

Contraindication

Chloroform is contraindicated in conditions like Diabetes mellitus,Sepsis.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Chloroform, which give rise to further complications include Nephrotoxicity, Cardiac arrhythmias, Hepatotoxicity, Hypotension, Cardiac arrhythmias, Hypotension, Hepatotoxicity, Decreased cardiac output.Chloroform produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Respiratory depression, Cardiac Arrest, Cardiac arrest. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Chloroform therapy.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Chloroform are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Irritation, Burns of skin & mucous membrane, Blistering.

Warnings

Patients should observe caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, because it may cause drowsiness. Patients with chronic disease such as diabetes or hypertension may require adjustment to their therapy before anesthesia. Anesthetics (chloroform) should be given with caution in patients with cardiac, respiratory, kidney or liver impairment.Not to vaporize in presence to flame because of production of harmful gases.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.