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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Brand Name
Sojourn
Generic Name
Sevoflurane
Active Ingredient
SevofluraneCategory
General Anesthetic [EPC]
Variants
1
Different strengths and dosage forms
| Strength | Form | Route | NDC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mL/mL | LIQUID | RESPIRATORY (INHALATION) | 66794-012 |
Detailed information about Sojourn
References used for this content
This page is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Before using any prescription or over-the-counter medication for Sojourn, you must consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Sevoflurane is a halogenated ether inhalational general anesthetic used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia during surgical procedures. It is characterized by its rapid onset and recovery profile, making it a preferred choice for both pediatric and adult populations.
Dosage of Sevoflurane must be individualized based on the patient’s age, clinical status, and the specific surgical procedure. It is measured in terms of MAC (Minimum Alveolar Concentration), which is the concentration of the vapor in the lungs that prevents movement in 50% of patients in response to a surgical incision.
Sevoflurane is widely used in pediatric anesthesia due to its rapid induction and low airway irritation.
There are no specific dosage adjustment guidelines for patients with renal impairment. However, because Sevoflurane can react with carbon dioxide absorbents (like soda lime) in the anesthesia machine to produce a substance called Compound A, which has shown nephrotoxicity in laboratory animals, clinicians are advised to use fresh gas flow rates of at least 1 Liter/minute (L/min) for exposures up to 2 MAC-hours, and 2 L/min for longer procedures to minimize Compound A accumulation.
Because only a small fraction (2-5%) of Sevoflurane is metabolized by the liver, significant dosage adjustments are generally not required. However, caution should be exercised in patients with severe underlying hepatic conditions or those who have had previous adverse reactions to halogenated anesthetics.
The MAC of Sevoflurane decreases significantly as age increases. For an 80-year-old, the MAC is approximately 1.4% (compared to 2.1% for a 40-year-old). Anesthesia providers must titrate the dose carefully to avoid excessive cardiovascular and respiratory depression in the elderly.
Sevoflurane is not 'taken' by the patient in a traditional sense. It is administered by an anesthesiologist or a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
Since Sevoflurane is administered continuously by a healthcare professional during surgery, the concept of a 'missed dose' does not apply. The professional monitors the concentration in real-time using an end-tidal gas analyzer to ensure the patient remains at the appropriate depth of anesthesia.
An overdose of Sevoflurane (delivering too high a concentration) can lead to severe physiological depression.
> Important: Follow your healthcare provider's dosing instructions. Do not adjust your dose without medical guidance. In the case of Sevoflurane, all dosing decisions are made by the anesthesia team in real-time.
Sevoflurane is generally well-tolerated, but like all general anesthetics, it carries a risk of side effects during the 'emergence' (waking up) phase.
> Warning: While you are under anesthesia, your medical team will monitor for these. If you are at home recovering and experience any of the following, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.
Most side effects of Sevoflurane resolve within 24 to 48 hours as the gas is eliminated from the body. However, there is ongoing clinical discussion regarding:
No FDA black box warnings for Sevoflurane. However, the FDA issued a Drug Safety Communication in 2016 (updated in 2017) regarding the use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs in children under 3 years of age and in pregnant women during their third trimester, warning that repeated or lengthy use may affect fetal or childhood brain development.
Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider.
Sevoflurane is a potent drug that should only be administered by professionals trained in the administration of general anesthesia. It requires continuous monitoring of vital signs, including electrocardiogram (ECG), blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and end-tidal CO2 levels. Because it causes a rapid loss of consciousness, airway management (ensuring the patient can breathe) is the highest priority.
No FDA black box warnings for Sevoflurane.
During and immediately after Sevoflurane administration, the following must be monitored:
Patients must NOT drive, operate heavy machinery, or make important legal decisions for at least 24 hours after receiving Sevoflurane. The drug impairs coordination, judgment, and reaction time. A responsible adult must accompany the patient home after discharge.
Alcohol should be avoided for at least 24 hours following anesthesia. Alcohol is a CNS depressant and can dangerously enhance the residual sedative effects of Sevoflurane, leading to excessive sleepiness or respiratory issues.
Discontinuation of Sevoflurane is managed by the anesthesia provider. As the gas is turned off, the patient begins to wake up. There is no 'withdrawal syndrome' in the traditional sense, but patients may experience emergence delirium or shivering as the drug levels in the brain drop.
> Important: Discuss all your medical conditions with your healthcare provider before starting Sevoflurane.
There are few absolute contraindications for drug combinations with Sevoflurane, as it is a controlled gas. However:
For each major interaction, the mechanism usually involves pharmacodynamic synergy (drugs working together on the same system) or pharmacokinetic potentiation (one drug changing how another is processed). Management involves careful titration of the Sevoflurane dose by the anesthesia professional.
> Important: Tell your doctor about ALL medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
Sevoflurane must NEVER be used in the following situations:
In these cases, the healthcare provider will perform a careful risk-benefit analysis:
There is a high degree of cross-sensitivity between Sevoflurane and other volatile anesthetics like Isoflurane and Desflurane. If a patient is allergic to one, they are likely allergic to all drugs in this class. There is no known cross-sensitivity between Sevoflurane and intravenous anesthetics like propofol or ketamine.
> Important: Your healthcare provider will evaluate your complete medical history before prescribing Sevoflurane.
> Important: Special populations require individualized medical assessment.
Sevoflurane acts primarily on the GABA-A receptor complex in the central nervous system. It binds to an allosteric site on the receptor, increasing the affinity of the receptor for GABA (an inhibitory neurotransmitter). This increases the frequency and duration of the opening of the chloride ion channel, leading to neuronal hyperpolarization and a global depression of CNS activity. Additionally, it inhibits NMDA receptors (excitatory) and activates two-pore-domain potassium channels, which helps maintain a stable, non-excitable state in neurons.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Blood/Gas Partition Coefficient | 0.65 - 0.69 |
| Protein Binding | Negligible |
| Metabolism (Liver) | 2% - 5% (via CYP2E1) |
| Primary Metabolite | Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) |
| Elimination Route | Exhalation (>95%) |
| MAC (40-year-old) | 2.1% (in 100% O2) |
Sevoflurane is a volatile liquid inhalational anesthetic. It is part of the halogenated ether family, which also includes isoflurane and desflurane. It is chemically distinct from older agents like halothane (which is an alkane) and nitrous oxide (which is an inorganic gas).
Common questions about Sojourn
Sevoflurane is a general anesthetic gas used primarily to induce and maintain a state of unconsciousness during surgical procedures. It is highly effective for 'mask induction,' where a patient—especially a child—breathes the gas through a mask to fall asleep before surgery starts. Because it works quickly and leaves the body rapidly through the lungs, it is the preferred choice for many outpatient surgeries. It provides a combination of hypnosis (unconsciousness), amnesia (memory loss), and a degree of muscle relaxation. It is always administered by a trained anesthesia professional in a hospital setting.
The most common side effects occur as the patient wakes up from anesthesia and include nausea and vomiting, which affect about one-fourth of patients. Other frequent issues include shivering, a temporary cough, and a period of drowsiness or 'brain fog.' In children, a specific side effect called 'emergence delirium' can occur, where the child wakes up agitated or inconsolable for a short time. Most of these side effects are temporary and resolve within a few hours. Your medical team will provide medications to help manage nausea and shivering if they occur.
You should not drink alcohol for at least 24 hours after receiving Sevoflurane anesthesia. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant that can interact with the lingering effects of the anesthetic in your system. This combination can lead to dangerous levels of sedation, impaired coordination, and slowed breathing. Additionally, both alcohol and surgery can dehydrate the body, making the recovery process more difficult. Always wait until you are fully alert and have cleared the use of alcohol with your surgeon or anesthesiologist.
Sevoflurane is commonly used during pregnancy for necessary surgeries and Cesarean sections, but its use requires careful consideration. It crosses the placenta and can affect the fetus, and it also causes the muscles of the uterus to relax, which may increase bleeding risk during delivery. The FDA has issued warnings that prolonged or repeated use of general anesthetics during the third trimester might affect fetal brain development. Therefore, elective surgeries are often postponed until after delivery. Your healthcare provider will weigh the necessity of the surgery against the potential risks to the pregnancy.
Sevoflurane is known for its very rapid onset of action. When inhaled at induction concentrations (up to 8%), a patient typically loses consciousness within 1 to 2 minutes. This speed is due to the drug's low solubility in the blood, which allows it to reach the brain almost immediately after being inhaled into the lungs. This rapid 'on-set' makes it ideal for children who may be anxious about needles, as they can fall asleep just by breathing through a mask. Recovery is similarly fast once the gas is turned off at the end of the procedure.
Sevoflurane is only administered during a surgical procedure, and 'stopping' it is a controlled process managed by your anesthesiologist. When the surgery is nearly finished, the provider will turn off the vaporizer, and you will begin to breathe out the remaining gas. Because it leaves the body so quickly through exhalation, you will typically wake up within 5 to 15 minutes after the gas is stopped. There is no need for a tapering process like with some oral medications, as the drug does not stay in your system for a long duration.
It is impossible to miss a dose of Sevoflurane because you do not administer it to yourself. It is delivered continuously through a breathing circuit by an anesthesia machine in the operating room. A specialized professional, such as an anesthesiologist, monitors the concentration of the gas in every breath you take using advanced digital sensors. This ensures that you receive exactly the right amount of medication to keep you safe and unconscious throughout your entire surgery. You will never have to worry about dosing this medication yourself.
No, Sevoflurane does not cause weight gain. It is a gas that is inhaled for a brief period during a single day of surgery and is almost entirely exhaled by the lungs shortly after the procedure ends. It does not have the metabolic or hormonal effects associated with medications that cause weight gain, such as steroids or certain antidepressants. Any weight changes you notice after surgery are more likely due to post-operative fluid retention (edema), changes in activity levels during recovery, or the body's natural inflammatory response to the surgical procedure itself.
Sevoflurane is frequently used in combination with other medications, such as IV pain relievers (opioids) and sedatives, but these must be managed carefully. These other drugs often make Sevoflurane more potent, meaning a lower dose of the gas is required. It can also interact with certain heart medications, like beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers, potentially lowering your heart rate or blood pressure. It is vital that you provide your anesthesia team with a complete list of all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements you take so they can adjust your anesthesia plan safely.
Yes, Sevoflurane is available as a generic medication. While it was originally marketed under the brand name Ultane, several pharmaceutical companies now produce generic versions of the liquid for inhalation. Because it is a generic, it is widely available and cost-effective for hospitals and surgical centers. Regardless of whether the brand-name or generic version is used, the active ingredient is identical, and it is held to the same strict FDA standards for purity, potency, and safety. Your hospital will use whichever version is currently in their pharmacy's supply.
Other drugs with the same active ingredient (Sevoflurane)