DRUG

EFFECT

Halothane

CNS:

• Increased cerebral blood flow and  intracranial pressure.
• Fast smooth muscle induction.

ANS: Bradycardia

CVS:

• Depress normal cardiac contractility.
• Decrease BP ad atrial mean pressure.
• Sensitized myocardium for arrhythmic effects of catecholamines.

Respiratory System:

• Saliva, bronchial secretions, or cough not induced thus Cn be a drug of choice if patient has airway issues

Musculo-Skeletal:

• Skeletal muscle effects in stage 3.
• Increases action on non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (competitive antagonist)
• Decreases action on depolarizing muscle relaxant.
• Post-operative shaking causes hypoxia (decrease O₂ flow to the tissue)

Uterus:

• Decrease muscle contraction and was used to assist in labour delivery

Liver:

• Hepatoxicity

Enflurane

CNS:

• Fast smooth muscle induction.
• Convulsions may occur (don’t use in epileptics)

CVS:

• No myocardium sensitization
• less ↓ than Halothane 

Respiratory System:

• More depression than halothane
• Pungency effect thus less suitable for induction of anesthesia esp.  in patients with active bronchospasm

Isoflurane

CNS:

• Faster induction and recovery compared to halothane

CVS:

• Less decrease in blood pressure than Halothane and Enflurane.
• No sensitization of myocardium.

Respiratory System:

• Suppressing effect enhances by skeletal muscle relaxing effects

Desflurane

CNS:

• Faster induction and recovery phase than Isoflurane
• Increase cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure

CVS:

• Less depressing than enflurane and halothane

Respiratory System:

• Pungent smell causes an irritation in airways when used for induction
• May lead to coughs, laryngospasms and shortness of breath

Sevoflurane

All effects are same as desflurane except

Respiratory System:

• Less irritating than desflurane

Nitric Oxide

CNS:

• Fast recovery phase
• Weak anaesthetic effects
• Potent analgesic effects

Respiratory System:

• May cause hypoxia and needs to be  used in combination with oxygen