Introduction

Name

• Ether.

Class of drug

• Inhalation anesthetic.

Description

Chemical name

• Diethyl ether.

Molecular formula

• C2H5-O-C2H5.

Physical properties

• Colorless, sweet, boils at 35° C, soluble in oils and solvents.
  Vapor highly flammable - forms explosive mixture with oxygen and air.
• Vapor heavier than air.

Storage requirements

• 4°C.
• Protect from light.
• Seal tightly to reduce formation of peroxides.
• Do not store in vaporizer jar for >2 days or unsealed container >1 week.
• Peroxide residues may explode.
  Do not store in refrigerator.

Uses

Indications

• Obsolete.
• No specific indication for use - has been superseded by modern anesthetic agents.

Administration

Pharmacokinetics

Precautions

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• Based on Small Animal Formulary. Tennant Bryn (1999) 3rd edn. Cheltenham: BSAVA. ISBN: 0 905214 44 7