Halothane:

Central Nervous system:

• Causes fast and smooth induction
• Increases cerebral blood flow
• Increases intracranial pressure

Autonomic system:

• Causes Bradycardia

Cardiovascular system:

• Decreases blood pressure
• Causes a sensitized myocardium for arythmogenic effects of the catecholamines

Respiratory system:

• No saliva, bronchial secretions, or coughing

Musculo-skeletal:

• Skeletal muscle relaxing effects
• Increases action non-depolarization
• Decreased action depolarization
• Post-operative shaking due to hypoxia

Uterus:

• Decreased muscle contractions
• External twisting of a baby

Liver:

• Hepatotoxic effects (unpredictable and can be very rare)

Enflurane:

Central Nervous system:

• Fast, smooth induction convulsions sometimes (not epileptic convulsions)

Cardiovascular system:

• No sensitization of the myocardium.
• Less suppression than Halothane

Respiratory system:

• More suppression than Halothane

Isoflurane:

Central Nervous system:

• Faster induction
• Faster recovery than Halothane

Cardiovascular system:

• Less suppression than Halothane
• No sensitization of the myocardium

Respiratory system:

• Potent suppression effects

Desflurane:

Central Nervous system:

• Even faster induction than Isoflurane
• Even faster recovery compared to Isoflurane
• Increased cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure

Cardiovascular system:

• Less suppressing effects compared to Halothane and Enflurane

Respiratory system:

• Strong smell that irritates airways
• When used as an induction drug it may cause coughing, shortness of breath and a laryngospasm

Sevoflurane:

Musculo-skeletal:

• Potentiates the effects of the non-depolarising muscle relaxants like the other halogenated ethers.

• Has effects similar too Desflurane with less airway irritation

Nitrous Oxide:

Central Nervous system:

• Weak anaesthetic effects
• Potent analgesic effects
• Amnesia

Cardiovascular system:

• No effects

Respiratory system:

• Pure Nitrous oxide results in hypoxia
• Always mix with oxygen or air
• Recovery phase: fast diffusion from the blood to the alveoli

Musculo-skeletal:

• No skeletal muscle relaxation