Efficacy and safety of methoxyflurane: managing trauma associated pain in UK SAR helicopter paramedic practice

Abstract

This article reviews the efficacy and safety of Penthrox (methoxyflurane) when administered in analgesic dosages. The review included one randomised, double blinded control trial and the remaining evidence consisted of reviews or observational and data-linkage studies. This paucity in a significant number of high quality pieces of evidence is mitigated to some extent by the collaborative unanimity of all the papers reviewed. All papers concluded that Penthrox was an efficacious analgesic. There was no evidence of Penthrox having long-term deleterious effects under an analgesic dosing regimen. The addition of an activated charcoal filter to the Penthrox inhaler renders the risk of occupational side effects negligible. Penthrox appears to be a safe and efficacious analgesic.