Medical Carbon Dioxide

As a gas, medical carbon dioxide is a respiratory stimulant and is used together with medical oxygen to stimulate breathing response.

• In tissue freezing techniques
• For assessment of tooth sensitivity

Product Information:

• Indications: As an anaesthetic supplement in various clinical circumstances to maintain optimum blood carbon levels, facilitate blind intubation and rapidly increase depth of anaesthesia with volatile agents. As a respiratory stimulant after apnoea of after relief of chronic respiratory obstruction. To prevent hypocapnia during hyperventilation. Use in clinical and physiological investigations including use as insufflation gas.
• Contraindication: Carbon dioxide should not be used in acidosis, in respiratory obstruction and during resuscitation
• Method of Administration: For respiratory use at concentrations of 5% or less, except for certain investigations where concentration may exceed 5%. Also 100% carbon dioxide may be used for insufflation.
• Adverse Effects (extract): Cardiac dysrhythmias have been reported in patients undergoing laparoscopy as a result of high blood carbon dioxide levels. Cardiac arrest due to gas embolism has been reported.
• Interactions with other Medicines: Carbon dioxide interacts with anaesthetic agents when the concentration is raised and gives rise to cardiac dysrhythmias. It also interacts with adrenergic substances (e.g. adrenaline). Carbon dioxide, by altering pH, influences uptake, distribution and action of many drugs including neuromuscular blocking agents and hypotensive agents.

Please review Product Information before prescribing. Available from Air Liquide Healthcare or downloaded from the TGA Public Information website eBS