Desflurane is a general inhalation anesthetic for inpatient and outpatient surgery in adults. It can be found under the brand name Suprane, and is a volatile anesthetic that is more rapidly cleared and less metabolized than previous inhaled anesthetics such as methoxyflurane, sevoflurane, enflurane, or isoflurane. It was developed in the late 1980s out of a need for a more rapidly acting and rapidly cleared inhaled anesthetic. The mechanism of inhalational anesthetics is still not fully understood. They can block excitatory ion channels and increase the activity of inhibitory ion channels. The most notable agonism is at the GABAA channel. Desflurane is also an agonist of glycine receptors, antagonist of glutamate receptors, inducer of potassium voltage gated channels, and inhibits both NADH-ubiquinone oxioreductase chain and calcium transporting ATPases. Some side effects of using desflurane may include bluish lips and/or skin, body aches, and congestion.

Desflurane GABA(A) Anesthetic Pathway References