NITROUS OXIDE IN MEDICINE - ENHANCING PATIENT COMFORT AND HEALTH: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.6440Keywords:
Nitrous Oxide, Laughing Gas, Conscious Sedation, Analgesia in Pediatrics, Analgesia in Dentistry, Labor AnalgesiaAbstract
Introduction: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a colorless inhalational agent widely used in medicine due to its analgesic, anxiolytic, and sedative properties. Owing to its effectiveness and safety, it has become an important tool for improving patient comfort during various medical and dental procedures.
Aim: The aim of this narrative review was to summarize current evidence regarding the pharmacological properties, clinical applications and safety profile of nitrous oxide.
Material and methods: A narrative review of the literature was conducted using peer-reviewed publications indexed in major medical databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Articles published in English from 2016 to 2025 were analyzed. The reviewed studies included original research, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical reports related to the use of nitrous oxide in medicine.
Results: Nitrous oxide is widely used in dentistry, pediatrics, obstetrics, emergency medicine, and during minor surgical procedures. It effectively reduces anxiety and increases patient tolerance of procedures. The most common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Prolonged or repeated exposure may lead to significantly more serious. However, when administered under appropriate supervision, nitrous oxide remains a highly safe agent with a low risk of severe adverse effects.
Conclusions: Nitrous oxide remains a safe, effective, and versatile medical agent, provided that patients are properly qualified for the procedure and that it is correctly administered under supervision by trained personnel. Its broad clinical applications, positive impact on patient comfort, and low risk of serious adverse effects when used appropriately support its continued use across many medical specialties. In the future, there is potential for a significant expansion of the indications for its use. However, further research is necessary to achieve this.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Natalia Borek, Emilia Miśkiewicz, Julia Gałązka, Ewa Stopa, Hanna Krupa, Magdalena Kędrak, Zofia Wieczorek, Dominik Stanisławski, Wiktoria Jabłońska-Trzosek , Jakub Pochwalski
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