How to administer the PENTHROX ®

Please refer to the PENTHROX®  Product Monograph for detailed instructions on the preparation and correct administration of the PENTHROX®  Inhaler

How to use PENTHROX ®

1

Ensure the Activated Carbon
(AC) Chamber is inserted into
the dilutor hole on the top of
the PENTHROX® Inhaler.

2

Remove the cap of the bottle by hand. Alternatively, use the base of the PENTHROX® Inhaler to loosen the
cap with a ½ turn. Separate the inhaler from the bottle and remove
the cap by hand.

3

Tilt the PENTHROX® Inhaler to a 45° angle and pour the total contents of one PENTHROX® bottle into the base of the inhaler while rotating to ensure wick is adequately saturated. Note that PENTHROX® has a fruity scent.

4

Place wrist loop over patient’s wrist. Patient inhales through the mouthpiece of the PENTHROX® Inhaler to obtain analgesia.
First few breaths should be gentle and then instruct patient to breathe normally through inhaler.

5

Patient should exhale into the PENTHROX® Inhaler. The exhaled vapor passes through the AC Chamber to adsorb any exhaled methoxyflurane.

6

If stronger analgesia is required, patient can cover dilutor hole on
the AC Chamber with finger
during use.

7

Patient should be instructed to inhale intermittently to achieve adequate analgesia. Continuous inhalation
will reduce duration of use.
Minimum dose to achieve analgesia should be administered.

8

Replace cap on PENTHROX® bottle. Place used PENTHROX® Inhaler and used bottle in sealed plastic bag and dispose through normal waste.

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.