Methoxyfluran

Fires involving this compound can be controlled with a dry chemical, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguisher. (NTP, 1992)

Use water spray, powder, foam, carbon dioxide.

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse skin with plenty of water or shower.

First rinse with plenty of water for several minutes (remove contact lenses if easily possible), then refer for medical attention.

Rinse mouth. Refer for medical attention .

EYES: First check the victim for contact lenses and remove if present. Flush victim's eyes with water or normal saline solution for 20 to 30 minutes while simultaneously calling a hospital or poison control center. Do not put any ointments, oils, or medication in the victim's eyes without specific instructions from a physician. IMMEDIATELY transport the victim after flushing eyes to a hospital even if no symptoms (such as redness or irritation) develop.

(General first aid procedures)

SMALL SPILLS AND LEAKAGE: If you spill this chemical, FIRST REMOVE ALL SOURCES OF IGNITION. Then, use absorbent paper to pick up all liquid spill material. Your contaminated clothing and absorbent paper should be sealed in a vapor-tight plastic bag for eventual disposal. Solvent wash all contaminated surfaces with 60-70% ethanol followed by washing with a soap and water solution. Do not reenter the contaminated area until the Safety Officer (or other responsible person) has verified that the area has been properly cleaned.

SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational exposure or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal, aquatic, and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.

Personal protection: filter respirator for organic gases and vapours adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Collect leaking and spilled liquid in sealable metal containers as far as possible. Absorb remaining liquid in sand or inert absorbent. Then store and dispose of according to local regulations.

Work clothing that becomes wet or significantly contaminated should be removed and replaced.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses in industry is conflicting. The benefit or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

/Other nephrotoxic agents/ may increase the risk of severe nephrotoxicity if administered prior to, during, or following administration of methoxyflurane; concurrent or sequential use is generally not recommended.

Caution should be used in concurrent administration /of citrate-anticoagulated blood (massive transfusions) or systemic lincomycins or nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents or systemic polymyxins/ with halogenated anesthetics /including methoxyflurane/, because of the possibility of additive neuromuscular blockade; although increased or prolonged skeletal muscle weakness and respiratory depression or paralysis [apnea] may occur, clinical significance is minimal if the patient is being mechanically ventilated; however, dosage of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents should be decreased to 1/3 of the usual dose or as determined using a peripheral nerve stimulator ; treatment with anticholinesterase agents or calcium salts may help reverse the blockade, but calcium salts are not recommended if tubocurarine has been given because they may potentiate, rather than reverse, its effects.

/Chronic alcohol ingestion/ may increase anesthetic requirement /of methoxyflurane/.

Concurrent use /of amiodarone/ with inhalation anesthetics /including methoxyflurane/ may potentiate hypotension and increase the risk of atropine-resistant bradycardia

For more Interactions (Complete) data for METHOXYFLURANE (18 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 380(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 2.21(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that methoxyflurane is expected to have moderate mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of methoxyflurane from moist soil surfaces is expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given a Henry's Law constant of 3.7X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(4). The potential for volatilization of methoxyflurane from dry soil surfaces may exist(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 49 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(5).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 380(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 2.21(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that methoxyflurane is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(3) based upon a Henry's Law constant of 3.7X10-3 atm-cu m/mole(4). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(3), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 1.5 hours and 5 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 10(SRC), from the log Kow(2)and a regression-derived equation(6), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Alkyl halides such as methoxyflurane have the potential to hydrolyze(3); however, the rate of this reaction is unknown.

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), methoxyflurane, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 49 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase methoxyflurane is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 498 days(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 3.2X10-14 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3).

The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its vapour.

inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact

Oral

Methoxyflurane induces a reduction in junctional conductance by decreasing gap junction channel opening times and increasing gap junction channel closing times. Methoxyflurane also activates calcium dependent ATPase in the sarcoplasmic reticulum by increasing the fluidity of the lipid membrane. It also appears to bind the D subunit of ATP synthase and NADH dehydogenase. Methoxyflurane also binds to the GABA receptor, the large conductance Ca²⁺ activated potassium channel, the glutamate receptor and the glycine receptor.

Dizziness. Drowsiness. Unconsciousness.

Redness.

irritation eyes; central nervous system depression, analgesia, anesthesia, convulsions, resp depression; liver, kidney injury; In Animals: reproductive, teratogenic effects

Symptoms of overexposure include eye irritation, CNS depression, analgesia, anesthesia, seizures, respiratory depression, and liver and kidney damage.

The Koc of methoxyflurane is estimated as 380(SRC), using a log Kow of 2.21(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that methoxyflurane is expected to have moderate mobility in soil.

/CASE REPORTS/ Methoxyflurane, a general anesthetic, is a known nephrotoxin. A case is presented that demonstrated diffuse, bilateral renal cortical calcification on CT secondary to repeated methoxyflurane inhalation.

/CASE REPORTS/ A young woman presented with a novel multisystem disease: painful periostitis, osteosclerosis, hypertension, and renal dysfunction. The similarity of some of this clinical picture to fluoride intoxication led to the discovery of massively elevated fluoride levels in serum, urine, and bone. Although initially an enigma, the source of fluoride was later found to be the illicit use of an anesthetic agent, methoxyflurane. This agent is one of a class of organofluorides that, by virtue of biotransformation, is a known cause of inorganic fluoride exposure. Though the drug is potentially nephrotoxic as generally used, exposure to it is transient and has not previously led to discernible bone disease.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Potential symptoms of overexposure are eye irritation; CNS depression, analgesia; anesthesia, seizures, respiratory depression; liver and kidney injury.

/CASE REPORTS/ A veterinarian's assistant who sniffed methoxyflurane as a euphoriant developed fulminant hepatitis and died of hepatic failure. ...

Methoxyflurane's former production and use as an anesthetic(1) may have resulted in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC). Methoxyflurane may still be produced in low quantities and used as a research chemical(2).

Used as an anesthetic; [Merck Index] A discontinued drug; [HSDB]

MEDICATION: Anesthetic

Discontinued drug... methoxyflurane (liquid inhalation 99.9%).

For use in the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia