Nitrous oxide is an inhalatory gas used as an adjunct to improve oxygenation and reduce the need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in certain neonates with hypoxic respiratory failure. Nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas", is a chemical compound with the chemical formula N2O.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Findings to date indicate that nitrous oxide induces opioid peptide release in the brain stem leading to the activation of descending noradrenergic neurones, which results in modulation of the nociceptive process in the spinal cord. Several receptor–effector mechanisms including dopamine receptors, α2 adrenoceptors, benzodiazepine receptors and -methyl- -aspartate (NMDA) receptors have been implicated although the relationship of one with the other is not known.
- Formula / weight
- N2O · 44.0128 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2020 · United States, 1938
- Also known as
- Dinitrogen oxide · Nitrious oxide
- Code names
- E-942 · FEMA NO. 2779 · INS-942 · INS NO.942
- Brand names
Resolves to
GQPLMRYTRLFLPF-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILES[N-]=[N+]=OWhat you can answer from here — as of July 03, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Nitrous oxide, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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