Halothane
Pronunciation: (HAL-oh-thane).
- Generic name
- Halothane
- Brand names
- Fluothane, Halothane I.P., Halovet
- Drug class
- General Anesthetic (Halogenated Inhalational Agent)
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country:
Australia: · Full directory
What Halothane is and how it works
Uses, formulations, monitoring, and supply rules can differ by patient, product, and country. Follow the exact local product information and professional advice.
Mechanism of action: how Halothane works
Halothane is a volatile inhalational anesthetic that acts primarily by enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission via gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and reducing excitatory neurotransmission. It depresses the central nervous system, leading to loss of consciousness, amnesia, and immobility. Halothane also decreases myocardial contractility and sensitizes the heart to catecholamines, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. Halothane is discontinued and no longer commercially available for clinical use in the United States, having been superseded by newer halogenated agents (sevoflurane, isoflurane) with better safety profiles; it was removed from the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines in 2025. (2)
What Halothane is used for
Induction of general anesthesia
Induction of general anesthesia (2)
Maintenance of general anesthesia
Maintenance of general anesthesia (2)
Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery
Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery (2)
Control of status asthmaticus (historical use, largely replaced)
Control of status asthmaticus (historical use, largely replaced) (2)
Before taking Halothane
Do not take / not appropriate for
- history of halothane-induced hepatitis, known hypersensitivity, and susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia. (Contraindication)
- Avoid repeated use within short intervals due to cumulative risk of liver injury. (Contraindication)
Tell your clinician about
(2)How to take Halothane
- General Instructions: Halothane is administered by an anesthesiologist in a controlled healthcare setting. You will not self-administer this medication.. Adult Dosing: Induction: 0.5–3% halothane vapor in oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide. Maintenance: 0.5–1.5% as needed, titrated to effect (the minimum alveolar concentration needed decreases with age, from about 1.08% in infants to about 0.64% around age 81).. Pediatric Dosing: Children may require higher concentrations for induction (up to 2–3%), with maintenance doses similar to adults. Dosing is individualized based on age and clinical response.. Administration: Given via a vaporizer connected to an anesthesia machine. The patient inhales the vapor through a mask or breathing tube.. When To Stop: Halothane administration is stopped at the end of surgery. The anesthesiologist will ensure you are fully awake and breathing normally before discharge from recovery.. Storage: Halothane should be stored in tightly closed containers at room temperature, away from light and heat, and only handled by healthcare professionals.
- This page does not provide a dose calculator. Dosing must follow the prescriber, pharmacist, or product label.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (2)
Missed dose
Not applicable. Halothane is only given during surgery by a healthcare professional. You cannot miss a dose.
Overdose
Halothane overdose is a medical emergency. Symptoms may include dangerously low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, respiratory depression, or liver failure. Immediate supportive care and discontinuation of halothane are required. Emergency medical intervention is essential. (2)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms to a healthcare professional.
Malignant hyperthermia
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Hepatotoxicity
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Bradycardia
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Hypotension
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Arrhythmias
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Respiratory depression
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Nausea and vomiting
Incidence: Reported in the clinician-authored database; frequency not established
Serious warnings
Regulatory status — serious
Symptoms: Regulatory status: halothane is discontinued and no longer commercially available or used clinically in the United States. This page describes a general/inhalational anesthetic that is only administered by an anesthesiologist or trained anesthesia provider in a hospital or surgical setting where it remains in use — never something a patient obtains or administers independently.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Serious risk of liver toxicity, especially with repeated exposure — serious
Symptoms: Serious risk of liver toxicity, especially with repeated exposure. May trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible individuals. Can cause hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias. Use with caution in patients with increased intracranial pressure. Not recommended for repeated anesthesia within short intervals.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Contraindications recorded in the clinician database, refined against product labeling — serious
Symptoms: Contraindications recorded in the clinician database, refined against product labeling: contraindications include history of halothane-induced hepatitis, known hypersensitivity, and susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia. Not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia except when uterine relaxation is specifically required. Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment, cardiac arrhythmias, increased intracranial pressure, or myasthenia gravis. Avoid repeated use within short intervals due to cumulative risk of liver injury.
Action: Follow the urgency stated and seek prompt or emergency care when indicated. (2)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded interactions | Halothane can interact with several medications, including catecholamines (e.g., epinephrine), which may increase the risk of arrhythmias. It may also interact with other anesthetics, muscle relaxants, and certain antibiotics. Always inform your healthcare team about all medicines you are taking. | (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
Halothane is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia except when uterine relaxation is specifically required, per product labeling. General anesthetics carry potential fetal risks, so use during pregnancy requires the anesthesiologist and obstetric team to weigh benefits against risks and consider alternative anesthetic options; this decision must be made by the clinical team, not the patient. (2)
Breastfeeding
Specific breastfeeding data for halothane is limited. Because halothane and its metabolites clear the body relatively quickly after anesthesia, brief interruption of breastfeeding is sometimes advised by the care team following general anesthesia; ask the anesthesiologist or your doctor for guidance specific to your situation before resuming breastfeeding. (2)
Children
Frequency: Continuous inhalation during surgical procedures. Weight Based: Not established for pediatric use. Max Daily Dose: Not applicable as dosing is continuous during anesthesia. Max Single Dose: Not applicable as dosing is continuous during anesthesia. Age Restrictions: Historically used in pediatric anesthesia (non-irritating vapor made it favored for inhalational induction in children), but it is discontinued and no longer used in the US; safety data reflect historical use, not current formal pediatric labeling. (2)
Renal_impairment
Use with caution, and generally avoid, in patients with hepatic impairment or a history of halothane-induced hepatitis, given the risk of cumulative liver injury with repeated exposure. Renal-impairment-specific dosing guidance is not established in the sources reviewed; the anesthesia team individualizes management for patients with organ impairment. (2)
Hepatic_impairment
Use with caution, and generally avoid, in patients with hepatic impairment or a history of halothane-induced hepatitis, given the risk of cumulative liver injury with repeated exposure. Renal-impairment-specific dosing guidance is not established in the sources reviewed; the anesthesia team individualizes management for patients with organ impairment. (2)
Monitoring
(2)Storage
Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature (approximately 25°C/77°F), protected from light and heat. Only handled by healthcare professionals in a hospital/surgical setting.
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only. This section does not replace current product labeling.
General
Indication: Induction of general anesthesia
Dose summary: Induction: 0.5-3% by inhalation; Maintenance: 0.5-1.5% by inhalation, titrated to effect (corrected from an internal DB inconsistency that listed 0.5-2% in one field vs 0.5-1.5% in another; 0.5-1.5% matches independent labeling and the DB's own administration narrative). Minimum alveolar concentration requirement decreases with age.
Renal context: Renal-impairment-specific dose adjustment is not established in the clinician-authored database content or the independent sources reviewed for this medicine; dosing of an inhalational general anesthetic is titrated to clinical effect by the anesthesia team rather than by a fixed renal-dosing table. (2)
Frequently asked questions
What is halothane used for?
Halothane is used as a general anesthetic to induce and maintain unconsciousness during surgical procedures.
Is halothane safe for children?
Halothane was historically favored for pediatric anesthesia because its vapor is non-irritating to the airway, but it is now discontinued and no longer used in the United States, having been replaced by newer agents. Where it is still used in some other countries, it must be administered by experienced anesthesia professionals with careful monitoring.
Can halothane cause liver damage?
Yes, halothane can rarely cause serious liver injury, especially with repeated use. This is known as halothane hepatitis.
How quickly does halothane work?
Halothane acts rapidly, usually inducing anesthesia within a few minutes of inhalation.
What are the signs of a serious reaction to halothane?
Serious reactions include jaundice, high fever, muscle rigidity, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical help if these occur.
Can I receive halothane if I have liver disease?
Halothane should generally be avoided in patients with existing liver disease or a history of halothane-induced hepatitis.
Is halothane still commonly used?
No, not in the United States: halothane production has been discontinued there and it has not been in clinical use for roughly two decades, replaced by safer inhalational anesthetics. Use has declined in most other countries too, but it is still used in some lower-resource settings because it is inexpensive.
What happens if I take too much Halothane?
An overdose of Halothane can lead to severe central nervous system depression, profound respiratory depression, significant drops in blood pressure, and cardiac arrhythmias. If an overdose is suspected, immediate medical attention is crucial. Emergency services should be contacted without delay, as supportive care, including respiratory and cardiovascular support, will be necessary.
Can I drink alcohol while taking Halothane?
Alcohol consumption is strongly discouraged when receiving or recovering from general inhalational anesthetics like Halothane. Alcohol can significantly enhance the sedative effects of these anesthetics, leading to prolonged drowsiness, respiratory depression, and impaired coordination. It can also increase the risk of liver toxicity. Always consult your healthcare provider regarding alcohol use before and after any anesthetic procedure.
Is Halothane safe during pregnancy?
Halothane is classified under a pregnancy category that indicates potential risks. Its use during pregnancy requires careful consideration, and it should only be administered if the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. It is imperative to consult with your doctor or anesthesiologist to discuss the risks and benefits, and to explore alternative anesthetic options if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
What is the mechanism of action of Halothane?
Halothane is a volatile inhalational anesthetic that acts primarily by enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission via gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors and reducing excitatory neurotransmission. It depresses the central nervous system, leading to loss of consciousness, amnesia, and immobility. Halothane also decreases myocardial contractility and sensitizes the heart to catecholamines, increasing the risk of arrhythmias. Halothane is discontinued and no longer commercially available for clinical use in the United States, having been superseded by newer halogenated agents (sevoflurane, isoflurane) with better safety profiles; it was removed from the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines in 2025. (2)
What is the generic name of Halothane?
The generic name is Halothane. It is sold under brand names including Fluothane, Halothane I.P., Halovet.
What class of drug is Halothane?
Halothane is classed as: General Anesthetic (Halogenated Inhalational Agent).
References
- Halothane: clinician-authored medicine recordMedGuideGlobal · International · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 1
- Halothane professional information (historical Fluothane US labeling reference)Drugs.com · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 2
- Fluothane (halothane) monographRxList · United States · accessed 2026-08-06 · source 3
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient Halothane names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.