REDUCTION IN HALOTHANE MAC - COMPARISON OF MORPHINE AND ALFENTANIL

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 64  (8) , 807-810
Abstract
The anesthetic potency and effectiveness of alfentanil and morphine were establihsed by determining the effects of increasing drug doses on the alveolar anesthetic requrirement of halothane to maintain a constant anesthetic (MAC) level. Seix selected doses of alfentanil and 4 of morphine were administered to groups of mechancially ventilated rats anesthetized with halothane. Alfentanil was given as a loading dose followed by an i.v. infusion of 0.01-100 .mu.g/kg per min and morphine was administered as a s.c. dose of 4-20 mg/kg. The reduction in halothane requirement after morphine was biphasic, with a rapid linear increase occurring up to an 8 mg/kg s.c. dose, followed by a further, slower reduction in halothane requirement after doses of 8-20 mg/kg. At a 20 mg/kg dose, the halothane MAC was reduced .apprx. 84%. With alfentanil, a curvilinear reduction in halothane MAC occurred up to an alfentanil dose of 15 .mu.g .cntdot. kg/min, where a 48% reduction was found. Larger doses produced severe truncal, chest wall and abdominal rigidity, preclding adequate ventilation and the determination of MAC.

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