Entonox for pain control and sedation
What is Entonox?
Entonox is sometimes referred to as ‘laughing gas’ or ‘gas and air’, has been used in the NHS since 1965 for relieving pain and anxiety.
It is a 50/50% mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen gas and is more commonly known for being used in childbirth for relief of pain. Entonox works very quickly, and its effects are felt almost immediately after inhalation, making it a very good pain relief with a relaxing effect without losing consciousness or control.
What are the benefits of using Entonox?
Entonox is used to reduce pain (a painkiller) and has a relaxing effect. It is self-administered via a patient controlled on-demand mouthpiece; therefore, you are in full control of your own pain relief requirements. The effects of the Entonox gas will be reached/felt after approximately 6 to 8 inhalations. After stopping inhalation, the gas and its effects wears off. Within eight minutes it will have disappeared completely from your body.
Due to this you will not need anyone to look after you for twenty-four hours afterwards (a necessity after receiving injections of painkiller and sedative drugs for an interventional radiology procedure).
Within thirty minutes of ceasing to breathe Entonox gas you can drive again (after receiving injections of painkiller/sedative drugs the patient cannot drive for twenty-four hours).
It is very important to consider that the actual procedure you are having within the interventional radiology department would highly likely require 24-hour aftercare by a responsible adult and you may be advised not to drive/operate heavy machinery for 24 hours after your procedure. This should be confirmed on your appointment letter.
Are there any risks?
There are no serious risks and very few side effects from inhaling Entonox gas. Occasionally you may feel some light headedness, some tingling in the fingers and face and a little sickness or dizziness. This usually happens if you are breathing the gas in and out too quickly, called 'hyperventilating'. If this does occur, the nurse will tell you to slow down your breathing to normal breathes and the side effects will stop. Entonox is not always suitable for everyone and there are conditions/illnesses where Entonox gas cannot be used.
These are:
- Any ear disorder or previous ear/eye surgery
- Any facial injuries
- Drunk/intoxicated patients
- Patients with head injuries
- Within 72hrs of diving using oxygen tanks
- Patients who have previously suffered the bends from deep sea diving
- Patients who are heavily sedated or unconscious
- Severe/bad COPD/asthma (oxygen levels which are normally below 94%)
- Previous chest injuries
- Any kind of previous pneumothorax (air in-between the lungs membranes)
- First 16 weeks of pregnancy
- Patients with laryngectomy (throat surgery)
A full assessment of your suitability for Entonox will be done upon admission
How do you use Entonox?
Whilst being admitted by the nurse for your interventional radiology procedure you will be shown the mouthpiece and instructed on how to breathe the Entonox gas in and out.
When the interventional radiologist (radiology doctor) is ready to start your procedure, the radiology nurse will tell you to start breathing in the Entonox gas, and you will breathe the Entonox for about 2 to 8 breaths before your procedure starts. This will give the Entonox time to take full effect and for you to feel comfortable using the gas. You will then breathe the Entonox throughout your procedure, and the nurse will tell you to breathe in and out as normal.
What happens when I stop using Entonox?
After the procedure has finished the nurse will tell you to stop breathing the Entonox gas and take away the mask/mouthpiece. The Entonox gas will take about 8 minutes to disappear completely from the body.
Benefits of choosing Entonox for radiological procedures
As there are no lasting effects from breathing Entonox gas, within 30 minutes you will feel back to your normal self. Having Entonox will not affect or increase the time you must spend in hospital following your interventional radiology procedure.
Contact Numbers
If you have any questions regarding the procedure or use of Entonox, them please contact the Interventional Radiology Department:
Salford Royal Hospital - 0161 206 2206
The Royal Oldham Hospital - 0161 778 5314
Reference
Date of Review: September 2023
Date of Next Review: September 2025
Ref No: PI_DP_1827 (NCA)