OXYGEN

Medical gas used to prevent and treat hypoxia. It increases alveolar oxygen tension and decreases the work of breathing.

Dosage Forms

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Medical gas for inhalation

99.80%

Uses

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  • Anaphylaxis
  • Maintain adequate tissue oxygenation in inhalational anaesthesia
  • Myocardial infarction
  • Severe acute asthma
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Other conditions causing respiratory distress (e.g. pneumonia, pulmonary thromboembolism, pulmonary fibrosis, shock, severe trauma, sepsis, anaphylaxis, severe anaemia)

Dose and Duration

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The concentration of oxygen required depends on the condition being treated.

It should be prescribed to achieve normal or near-normal oxygen saturation (94–98%).

Conditions that require high concentration oxygen (40–60%)
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Severe acute asthma
  • Pneumonia
  • Shock
  • Anaphylaxis
  • Severe trauma
  • Myocardial infarction
Conditions that require low oxygen concentration (to prevent respiratory failure due to accumulation/high carbon dioxide levels). Give oxygen initially at 28% aiming to achieve 88–92% oxygen saturation
  • Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease
  • Advanced cystic fibrosis
  • Severe lung scarring due to tuberculosis
With inhalation anaesthetics

Concentration should not be less than 21%

Side Effects

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  • Concentrations greater than 80% have a toxic effect on the lungs leading to pulmonary congestion, exudation and partial or complete lung collapse

Pregnancy

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  • Can be used

Breast-feeding

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  • Can be used

⚠️ Caution

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  • Oxygen may be given by mask or nasal cannula
  • Nasal cannula can produce drying and dermatitis on prolonged use