Important: This page is general information, not medical advice. It does not recommend or prescribe any treatment. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Quick facts
- Drug class
- General Anesthetic [EPC]
- How it is given
- respiratory (inhalation)
- Type
- human prescription drug
- RxNorm ID
- 200243
We do not publish dosing. How much of this medicine to take, how often, and for how long depends on your age, weight, kidney and liver function, other conditions and other medicines. That is a decision for the person who prescribes or dispenses it. Follow the directions on your own pack and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.
What it is used to treat
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Sevoflurane, USP is indicated for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in adult and pediatric patients for inpatient and outpatient surgery. Sevoflurane, USP should be administered only by persons trained in the administration of general anesthesia. Facilities for maintenance of a patent airway, artificial ventilation, oxygen enrichment, and circulatory resuscitation must be immediately available. Since level of anesthesia may be altered rapidly, only vaporizers producing predictable concentrations of sevoflurane, USP should be used.
About this medicine
DESCRIPTION Sevoflurane, USP, volatile liquid for inhalation, a nonflammable and nonexplosive liquid administered by vaporization, is a halogenated general inhalation anesthetic drug. Sevoflurane is fluoromethyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-(trifluoromethyl) ethyl ether and its structural formula is: Sevoflurane, Physical Constants are: Molecular weight 200.05 Boiling point at 760 mm Hg 58.6°C Specific gravity at 20°C 1.520-1.525 Vapor pressure in mm Hg 157 mm Hg at 20°C 197 mm Hg at 25°C 317 mm Hg at 36°C Distribution Partition Coefficients at 37°C: Blood/Gas 0.63 - 0.69 Water/Gas 0.36 Olive Oil/Gas 47 - 54 Brain/Gas 1.15 Mean Component/Gas Partition Coefficients at 25°C for Polymers Used Commonly in Medical Applications: Conductive rubber 14.0 Butyl rubber 7.7 Polyvinylchloride 17.4 Polyethylene 1.3 Sevoflurane is nonflammable and nonexplosive as defined by the requirements of International Electrotechnical Commission 601-2-13. Sevoflurane is a clear, colorless, liquid containing no additives. Sevoflurane is not corrosive to stainless steel, brass, aluminum, nickel-plated brass, chrome-plated brass or copper beryllium. Sevoflurane is nonpungent. It is miscible with ethanol, ether, chloroform and benzene, and it is slightly soluble in water. Sevoflurane is stable when stored under normal room lighting conditions according to instructions. No discernible degradation of sevoflurane occurs in the presence of strong acids or heat. When in contact with alkaline CO 2 absorbents (e.g., Baralyme ® and to a lesser extent soda lime) within the anesthesia machine, sevoflurane can undergo degradation under certain conditions. Degradation of sevoflurane is minimal, and degradants are either undetectable or present in non-toxic amounts when used as directed with fresh absorbents. Sevoflurane degradation and subsequent degradant formation are enhanced by increasing absorbent temperature increased sevoflurane concentration, decreased fresh gas flow and desiccated CO 2 absorbents (especially with potassium hydroxide containing absorbents e.g., Baralyme). Sevoflurane alkaline degradation occurs by two pathways. […]
Who should not take it
CONTRAINDICATIONS • Known or suspected genetic susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia. (see WARNINGS - Malignant Hyperthermia , CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY - Pharmacogenomics ). • Known or suspected sensitivity to sevoflurane or to other halogenated inhalational anesthetics.
Warnings
WARNINGS Risk of Renal Injury Although data from controlled clinical studies at low flow rates are limited, findings taken from patient and animal studies suggest that there is a potential for renal injury which is presumed due to Compound A. Animal and human studies demonstrate that sevoflurane administered for more than 2 MAC·hours and at fresh gas flow rates of < 2 L/min may be associated with proteinuria and glycosuria. While a level of Compound A exposure at which clinical nephrotoxicity might be expected to occur has not been established, it is prudent to consider all of the factors leading to Compound A exposure in humans, especially duration of exposure, fresh gas flow rate, and concentration of sevoflurane. During sevoflurane anesthesia the clinician should adjust inspired concentration and fresh gas flow rate to minimize exposure to Compound A. To minimize exposure to Compound A, sevoflurane exposure should not exceed 2 MAC·hours at flow rates of 1 to < 2 L/min. Fresh gas flow rates < 1 L/min are not recommended. Because clinical experience in administering sevoflurane to patients with renal insufficiency (creatinine >1.5 mg/dL) is limited, its safety in these patients has not been established. Sevoflurane may be associated with glycosuria and proteinuria when used for long procedures at low flow rates. The safety of low flow sevoflurane on renal function was evaluated in patients with normal preoperative renal function. One study compared sevoflurane (N = 98) to an active control (N = 90) administered for ≥ 2 hours at a fresh gas flow rate of ≤ 1 Liter/minute. Per study defined criteria, one patient in the sevoflurane group developed elevations of creatinine, in addition to glycosuria and proteinuria. This patient received sevoflurane at fresh gas flow rates of ≤ 800 mL/minute. Using these same criteria, there were no patients in the active control group who developed treatment emergent elevations in serum creatinine. Sevoflurane may present an increased risk in patients with known sensitivity to volatile halogenated anesthetic agents. KOH containing CO 2 absorbents are not recommended for use with sevoflurane. […]
Reported side effects
ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical Trials Experience Adverse events are derived from controlled clinical studies conducted in the United States, Canada, and Europe. The reference drugs were isoflurane, enflurane, and propofol in adults and halothane in pediatric patients. The studies were conducted using a variety of premedications, other anesthetics, and surgical procedures of varying length. Most adverse events reported were mild and transient, and may reflect the surgical procedures, patient characteristics (including disease) and/or medications administered. Of the 5182 patients enrolled in the clinical studies, 2906 were exposed to sevoflurane, including 118 adults and 507 pediatric patients who underwent mask induction. Each patient was counted once for each type of adverse event. Adverse events reported in patients in clinical studies and considered to be possibly or probably related to sevoflurane are presented within each body system in order of decreasing frequency in the following listings. One case of malignant hyperthermia was reported in pre-registration clinical studies. Adverse Events During the Induction Period (from Onset of Anesthesia by Mask Induction to Surgical Incision) Incidence >1% Adult Patients (N = 118) Cardiovascular Bradycardia 5%, Hypotension 4%, Tachycardia 2% Nervous System Agitation 7% Respiratory System Laryngospasm 8%, Airway obstruction 8%, Breathholding 5%, Cough Increased 5% Pediatric Patients (N = 507) Cardiovascular Tachycardia 6%, Hypotension 4% Nervous System Agitation 15% Respiratory System Breathholding 5%, Cough Increased 5%, Laryngospasm 3%, Apnea 2% Digestive System Increased salivation 2% Adverse Events During Maintenance and Emergence Periods, Incidence > 1% (N = 2906) Body as a whole Fever 1%, Shivering 6%, Hypothermia 1%, Movement 1%, Headache 1% Cardiovascular Hypotension 11%, Hypertension 2%, Bradycardia 5%, Tachycardia 2% Nervous System Somnolence 9%, Agitation 9%, Dizziness 4%, Increased salivation 4% Digestive System Nausea 25%, Vomiting 18% Respiratory System Cough increased 11%, Breathholding 2%, Laryngospasm 2% Adverse Events, All Patients in Clinical Studies (N = 2906), All Anesthetic Periods, Incidence < 1% ( […]
Interactions with other medicines
Drug Interactions In clinical studies, no significant adverse reactions occurred with other drugs commonly used in the perioperative period, including central nervous system depressants, autonomic drugs, skeletal muscle relaxants, anti-infective agents, hormones and synthetic substitutes, blood derivatives, and cardiovascular drugs. Epinephrine Epinephrine administered with sevoflurane may increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. Monitor the electrocardiogram and blood pressure and ensure emergency medications to treat ventricular arrhythmias are readily available. Calcium antagonists Sevoflurane may lead to marked hypotension in patients treated with calcium antagonists. Blood pressure should be closely monitored and emergency medications to treat hypotension should be readily available when calcium antagonists are used concomitantly with sevoflurane. In animals, impairment of atrioventricular conduction has been observed when verapamil and sevoflurane are administered concomitantly. Succinylcholine See WARNINGS - Perioperative Hyperkalemia . Non-selective MAO-inhibitors Concomitant use of MAO inhibitors and inhalational anesthetics may increase the risk of hemodynamic instability during surgery or medical procedures. Intravenous Anesthetics Sevoflurane administration is compatible with barbiturates, propofol, and other commonly used intravenous anesthetics. Benzodiazepines and Opioids Benzodiazepines and opioids would be expected to decrease the MAC of sevoflurane in the same manner as with other inhalational anesthetics. Sevoflurane administration is compatible with benzodiazepines and opioids as commonly used in surgical practice. Nitrous Oxide As with other halogenated volatile anesthetics, the anesthetic requirement for sevoflurane is decreased when administered in combination with nitrous oxide. Using 50% N 2 O, the MAC equivalent dose requirement is reduced approximately 50% in adults, and approximately 25% in pediatric patients (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). […]
If too much is taken
OVERDOSAGE In the event of overdosage, or what may appear to be overdosage, the following action should be taken: discontinue administration of sevoflurane, maintain a patent airway, initiate assisted or controlled ventilation with oxygen, and maintain adequate cardiovascular function.
Storing it safely
SAFETY AND HANDLING Occupational Caution There is no specific work exposure limit established for sevoflurane. However, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has recommended an 8 hour time-weighted average limit of 2 ppm for halogenated anesthetic agents in general (0.5 ppm when coupled with exposure to N 2 O) (see ADVERSE REACTIONS ). Storage Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15º to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [See USP Controlled Room Temperature].
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This page is built from the openFDA record of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approved labelling for this product, effective 6 November 2025. Label text has been shortened and reformatted for readability; safety wording has not been altered in meaning. FDA labelling describes products approved in the United States — brand names, strengths, formulations and approved uses may differ in your country. Always read the leaflet that comes with your own pack. PocketsInfo is not affiliated with, and is not endorsed by, the FDA. Retrieved 2026-07-30.