Expected onset of pain relief is rapid with a median onset of 5 minutes

  • One 3 mL bottle of PENTHROX® is vaporised in the PENTHROX® Inhaler.
  • On finishing the 3 mL dose, another 3 mL may be used, if needed.
  • The dose should not exceed 6 mL in a single administration, or over the first day of treatment.
  • The frequency at which PENTHROX® treatment can be safely used is not established.
  • A maximum daily dose of 6 mL of PENTHROX® should not be administered on any two consecutive days.
  • A treatment course of PENTHROX® should be limited to a total doseof 15 mL over one week, with no more than 6 mL to be used in a single 48 hour period.
  • Patients should be instructed to inhale intermittently to achieve adequate analgesia. Patients can assess  their own level of pain and titrate the amount of PENTHROX® inhaled for adequate pain control.
  • Patients should be advised to take the lowest possible dose to achieve pain relief.
  • Continuous inhalation provides analgesic relief for up to 25-30 minutes, or approximately 1 hour when administered intermittently.
  • Treatment courses of PENTHROX® should not be repeated at an interval of less than 3 months.

Continuous inhalation provides analgesic relief for up to 25–30 minutes,
or approximately 1 hour when administered intermittently

Continuous inhalation provides analgesic relief for up to 25–30 minutes, or approximately 1 hour when administered intermittently

CLINICAL USE:

Due to dose limitations of a treatment course of PENTHROX® and the duration of associated pain relief, PENTHROX® is not appropriate for providing relief of break-through pain in chronic pain conditions. PENTHROX® is also not appropriate for relief of repetitive pain. PENTHROX® is not indicated for use during pregnancy or the peripartum period, including labour.

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

• Altered level of consciousness due to any cause including head injury, drugs, or alcohol
• Clinically significant renal impairment
• History of liver dysfunction after previous methoxyflurane use or other halogenated anesthetics
• Hypersensitivity to methoxyflurane or any other halogenated anesthetics
• Known or genetically susceptible to malignant hyperthermia or a history of severe adverse reactions in either patient or relatives
• Clinically evident hemodynamic instability
• Clinically evident respiratory impairment
• Use as an anesthetic agent

MOST SERIOUS WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

Nephrotoxicity: Supratherapeutic doses of methoxyflurane inhalation have been shown to lead to serious, irreversible nephrotoxicity in a dose-related manner. Dosing limitations should be followed meticulously to prevent or limit risk of nephrotoxicity. Consecutive day use of PENTHROX® is not recommended because of nephrotoxic potential. The lowest effective dose should be administered, especially in the elderly or in patients with other known risk factors of renal disease.

Hepatotoxicity: Very rare cases of hepatotoxicity have been reported with methoxyflurane inhalation when used for analgesic purposes. Use with care in patients with underlying hepatic conditions or having risk factors for hepatic dysfunction. PENTHROX® must not be used in patients who have a history of showing signs of liver damage after previous methoxyflurane use or halogenated hydrocarbon anesthesia.

OTHER RELEVANT WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS:

• Potential CNS effects
• Administer with caution in elderly patients with hypotension and bradycardia due to possible reduction in blood pressure
• Drug dependence
• May influence the ability to drive and operate machinery
• Do not administer concomitantly with alcohol ingestion
• To reduce occupational exposure to methoxyflurane, the PENTHROX® Inhaler should always be used with the activated carbon chamber to adsorb exhaled methoxyflurane
• Local skin reactions or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes
• Exercise caution if administering to a nursing mother

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Please consult the Product Monograph at https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp for important information relating to adverse reactions, drug interactions, patient counselling, and dosing/ disposal information (regarding the total maximum dose for a single administration or over the first day of treatment, in a single 48-hour period and entire treatment course) which have not been discussed in this piece. 

The Product Monograph is also available by calling us at 1-888-867-7426.

† Comparative clinical significance unknown.

*Clinical significance unknown

REFERENCES:

1. PENTHROX®Product Monograph, Paladin Pharma Inc., April 2022.
2. Borobia AM, Collado SG, Cardona CC, et al. Inhaled Methoxyflurane Provides Greater Analgesia and Faster Onset of Action Versus Standard Analgesia in Patients With Trauma Pain: InMEDIATE: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Emergency Departments. Annals of Emergency Medicine. 2020;75(3):315–28.
3. Coffey F, Wright J, Hartshorn S, et al. STOP!: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and safety of methoxyflurane for the treatment of acute pain. Emerg Med J. 2014;31(8):613–8.
4. Voza A, Ruggiano G, Serra S, et al. Inhaled Methoxyflurane versus Intravenous Morphine for Severe Trauma Pain in the Emergency Setting: Subgroup Analysis of MEDITA, a Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label Trial. JPR. 2020;Volume 13:491–502.
5. Spruyt O, Westerman D, Milner A, et al. A randomised, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study to assess the safety and efficacy of methoxyflurane for procedural pain of a bone marrow biopsy. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2014;4(4):342–8.
6. Grummet J, Huang S, Konstantatos A, et al. The ‘green whistle’: A novel method of analgesia for transrectal prostate biopsy: NOVEL METHOD OF ANALGESIA FOR TRUS-GUIDED PROSTATE BIOPSY. BJU Int. 2012;110:85–8.
7. Nguyen NQ, Toscano L, Lawrence M, et al. Patient-controlled analgesia with inhaled methoxyflurane versus conventional endoscopist-provided sedation for colonoscopy: a randomized multicenter trial. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 2013;78(6):892–901.
8. Brichko L, Gaddam R, Roman C, et al. Rapid Administration of Methoxyflurane to Patients in the Emergency Department (RAMPED) Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Methoxyflurane Versus Standard Care. Miner J, editor. Acad Emerg Med. 2021;28(2):164–71.