Volume 10, Issue 1: Methoxflurane (Penthrox)

Methoxflurane (Penthrox) – the green whistle for pain management

It is a cold winter day and you are working as a lone responder on a response bicycle. You are warming up with a hot drink in a local café when another call comes through and are dispatched to your local gym to a patient with a suspected dislocated shoulder. Pain relief options are limited for this patient – can you consider using Penthrox?

CPD Benefit

Methoxyflurane (Penthrox) was approved for use in the UK in 2015, but it was not added to the list of medications available for administration by paramedics; as such, it is only permitted where a trust guideline/PGD (patient group directive) is in place. It is indicated for ‘moderate-to-severe pain associated with trauma’ in adult patients (18 years of age and above). After reading this article you should be able to assess whether Penthrox can be administered to a particular patient. You should also have an understanding of the side effects and the method of administration enabling you to consider this alternative method of pain relief in the management of some patients.

Assessment Answers

You can check your answers to the quiz by clicking the link below:

Standby CPD Volume 10 – Assessment Answers