Identification
- Summary
Helium is a gas used for medical conditions where there is a need for increased oxygen intake, such as upper airway obstruction in asthma and COPD.
- Brand Names
- Heliox
- Generic Name
- Helium
- DrugBank Accession Number
- DB09155
- Background
Helium is a second most abundant chemical element in the universe with symbol He and atomic number 2. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas located at the top of the noble gases on the periodic table. Its boiling and melting points are the lowest among all the elements. Its clinical benefit in inhalation therapy arises from its advantageous physical properties than ambient air. Helium has lower density than air and generates less resistance than to provide improved lung ventilation. It is also used as an analytical reagent in diagnostic/imaging tests to detect respiratory function of the patient.
- Type
- Small Molecule
- Groups
- Approved, Investigational, Vet approved
- Structure
Structure for Helium (DB09155)
- Weight
- Average: 4.0026
Monoisotopic: 4.00260325 - Chemical Formula
- He
- Synonyms
- [He]
- atomic helium
- Helium
- External IDs
- E-939
- INS NO.939
- INS-939
Pharmacology
- Indication
For use in patients who are not getting enough oxygen into their blood due to blockages in the lungs from pathological conditions or injuries. Suggested potential benefit in upper airway obstruction, in severe asthma, and in exacerbations of COPD/COLD. Helium may be used in place of carbon monoxide during laparoscopic surgeries as it lowers the risk of developing respiratory acidosis in selected patients.
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- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
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Helium provides lung ventilation and prevents narrowing or collapse in respiratory units. It increases the tendency to laminar flow and reduces the resistance in turbulent flow, leading to more efficient penetration of gases to the distal alveoli, higher minute volumes and improved ventilation.
- Mechanism of action
Due to its lower density, helium achieves more effective flow of gas due to lowered resistance to gas flow within the airways and reduces the work of breathing by decreasing the pressure gradient needed to achieve a turbulent flow 6. Helium has a higher diffusion coefficient for carbon dioxide relative to oxygen thus promotes exhalation of trapped carbon dioxide. This reduces hypercapnia and normalizes pH. Helium increases the coronary collateral circulation and enhances the vasodilatory effects of inhaled nitric oxide on pulmonary vessels. It is suggested to possess neuroprotective properties. Cardioprotective effects against ischemia are mediated through early and late preconditioning by exposing the myocardial tissues to short ischemic episodes. Studies show that helium is associated with activation of pro-survival signalling kinases and inhibition of the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP).
- Absorption
Not Available
- Volume of distribution
Not Available
- Protein binding
Not Available
- Metabolism
- Not Available
- Route of elimination
Respiration
- Half-life
0.8 seconds
- Clearance
Not Available
- Adverse Effects
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Little evidence of toxic effects from helium therapy in clinical settings. Due to high thermal conductivity, may cause hypothermia in case of prolonged administration.
- Pathways
- Not Available
- Pharmacogenomic Effects/ADRs
- Not Available
Interactions
- Drug Interactions
- This information should not be interpreted without the help of a healthcare provider. If you believe you are experiencing an interaction, contact a healthcare provider immediately. The absence of an interaction does not necessarily mean no interactions exist.Not Available
- Food Interactions
- No interactions found.
Products
Drug product information from 10+ global regionsOur datasets provide approved product information including:dosage, form, labeller, route of administration, and marketing period.Access drug product information from over 10 global regions.- Brand Name Prescription Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Helium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Medical-Technical Gases, Inc. 2021-01-07 Not applicable US 
Helium Gas 99 L/100L Respiratory (inhalation) Indianapolis Welding Supply, Inc 1971-01-01 2013-04-12 US Helium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) General Air Service & Supply Co 1958-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) AGL Inhalation Therapy Co. 1966-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Keen Compressed Gas Co. Inc. 2019-06-11 Not applicable US Helium Gas 99 L/100L Respiratory (inhalation) Linde Gas & Equipment Inc. 1990-11-27 Not applicable US Helium Gas 992 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Airgas Intermountain Inc 1985-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Gas 992 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. 1987-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Gas 999 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Airgas East, Inc. 1998-02-17 Not applicable US Helium Gas 99 L/100L Respiratory (inhalation) Specialty Gases of America, Inc 1995-01-01 2015-06-10 US - Mixture Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Carbon Monox, Helium, Oxygen, Nitrogen L.D.M. Helium (10.5 %) + Carbon monoxide (0.3 %) + Nitrogen (67.7 %) + Oxygen (21.5 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Praxair, Inc. 1993-12-31 Not applicable Canada 
Co-HE-O2-N2 Mixture Helium (10.0 %) + Carbon monoxide (0.3 %) + Nitrogen (68.7 %) + Oxygen (21.0 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Messer Canada Inc. 1995-12-31 Not applicable Canada Gaseous Inh Mixture 20% Oxygen 80% Helium Helium (80 %) + Oxygen (20 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Air Products Canada Ltd/LtÉe. 1983-12-31 2001-09-14 Canada Heliox 70/30 Helium (70 %) + Oxygen (30 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Vitalaire Canada Inc 2014-12-22 Not applicable Canada Helium / Oxygen Mixture Helium (50 %) + Oxygen (50 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Messer Canada Inc. 1995-12-31 Not applicable Canada Helium Oxygen mixture Helium (80 %) + Oxygen (20 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Air Liquide Canada Inc. 1911-12-31 Not applicable Canada Helium Oxygen mixture Helium (700 mL/1L) + Oxygen (300 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Airgas Usa, Llc 2012-01-03 Not applicable US Helium Oxygen mixture Helium (800 mL/1L) + Oxygen (200 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Praxair Distribution, Inc. 2007-08-01 Not applicable US Helium Oxygen Nitrogen mixture Helium (200 mL/1L) + Nitrogen (300 mL/1L) + Oxygen (500 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Praxair Distribution, Inc. 2005-10-01 Not applicable US Helium-oxygen Mix Gas Helium (50 %) + Oxygen (50 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Praxair, Inc. 1997-05-02 Not applicable Canada - Unapproved/Other Products
Name Ingredients Dosage Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image COMPRESSED Gas OXIDIZING, N.O.S. Helium (70 L/100L) + Oxygen (30 L/100L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Norco, Inc. 2008-09-01 Not applicable US COMPRESSED Gas, N.O.S. Helium (79.6 L/100L) + Oxygen (20.4 L/100L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Norco, Inc. 2008-09-01 Not applicable US Compressed, N.O.S. Helium (79 L/100L) + Oxygen (21 L/100L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Linde Gas & Equipment Inc. 1998-06-24 Not applicable US Heliox Helium (800 mL/1L) + Oxygen (200 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) NATIONAL WELDERS SUPPLY CO., INC. 1964-01-01 2010-08-10 US Heliox Helium (700 mL/1L) + Oxygen (300 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Spec Connection International Inc 2013-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Helium (990 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Linde Llc 1965-08-26 2011-12-15 US Helium Helium (99 L/100L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Indianapolis Welding Supply, Inc 1971-01-01 2013-04-12 US Helium Helium (990 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Gt Industries Inc 1994-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Helium (999 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Airgas East, Inc. 1998-02-17 Not applicable US Helium Helium (99 L/100L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Specialty Gases of America, Inc 1995-01-01 2015-06-10 US
Categories
- ATC Codes
- V03AN03 — Helium
- Drug Categories
- Chemical TaxonomyProvided by Classyfire
- Description
- This compound belongs to the class of inorganic compounds known as homogeneous noble gases. These are inorganic non-metallic compounds in which the largest atom is a halogen atom.
- Kingdom
- Inorganic compounds
- Super Class
- Homogeneous non-metal compounds
- Class
- Homogeneous noble gases
- Sub Class
- Not Available
- Direct Parent
- Homogeneous noble gases
- Alternative Parents
- Not Available
- Substituents
- Homogeneous noble gas
- Molecular Framework
- Not Available
- External Descriptors
- monoatomic helium (CHEBI:33681)
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
Chemical Identifiers
- UNII
- 206GF3GB41
- CAS number
- 7440-59-7
- InChI Key
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- InChI
- InChI=1S/He
- IUPAC Name
- helium
- SMILES
- [He]
References
- General References
- Berganza CJ, Zhang JH: The role of helium gas in medicine. Med Gas Res. 2013 Aug 4;3(1):18. doi: 10.1186/2045-9912-3-18. [Article]
- Diehl JL, Peigne V, Guerot E, Faisy C, Lecourt L, Mercat A: Helium in the adult critical care setting. Ann Intensive Care. 2011 Jul 6;1(1):24. doi: 10.1186/2110-5820-1-24. [Article]
- Liu W, Khatibi N, Sridharan A, Zhang JH: Application of medical gases in the field of neurobiology. Med Gas Res. 2011 Jun 27;1(1):13. doi: 10.1186/2045-9912-1-13. [Article]
- Dickinson R, Franks NP: Bench-to-bedside review: Molecular pharmacology and clinical use of inert gases in anesthesia and neuroprotection. Crit Care. 2010;14(4):229. doi: 10.1186/cc9051. Epub 2010 Aug 12. [Article]
- Pagel PS, Krolikowski JG, Pratt PF Jr, Shim YH, Amour J, Warltier DC, Weihrauch D: Reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate-regulated potassium channels mediate helium-induced preconditioning against myocardial infarction in vivo. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2008 Aug;22(4):554-9. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2008.04.005. Epub 2008 Jun 17. [Article]
- Reuben AD, Harris AR: Heliox for asthma in the emergency department: a review of the literature. Emerg Med J. 2004 Mar;21(2):131-5. [Article]
- Oei GT, Weber NC, Hollmann MW, Preckel B: Cellular effects of helium in different organs. Anesthesiology. 2010 Jun;112(6):1503-10. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181d9cb5e. [Article]
- FDA Compliance Program Guidance Manual: Compressed Medical Gases [Link]
- DailyMed: Helium gas [Link]
- FDA Approved Products: Heliox (helium and oxygen) gases for inhalation [Link]
- External Links
- Human Metabolome Database
- HMDB0037238
- KEGG Drug
- D04420
- PubChem Compound
- 23987
- PubChem Substance
- 310265068
- ChemSpider
- 22423
- 5140
- ChEBI
- 33681
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL1796997
- PharmGKB
- PA449848
- Drugs.com
- Drugs.com Drug Page
- Wikipedia
- Helium
- MSDS
- Download (27.8 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 4 Completed Basic Science Nuclear radiation emergency 1 3 Completed Supportive Care Bronchiolitis / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 1 3 Terminated Treatment Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 1 2 Completed Treatment Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) 1 2 Terminated Treatment Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 1 2 Terminated Treatment Status Asthmaticus 1 2, 3 Completed Supportive Care Bronchiolitis / Chronic Bronchitis 1 1 Unknown Status Diagnostic Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity 1 1 Unknown Status Other Healthy Subjects (HS) 1 1, 2 Completed Basic Science Infants, Premature / Respiratory Distress Syndrome 1
Pharmacoeconomics
- Manufacturers
- Not Available
- Packagers
- Not Available
- Dosage Forms
Form Route Strength Gas Intracoronary; Respiratory (inhalation) 992 mL/1L Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 99 L/100L Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 990 mL/1L Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 992 mL/1L Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 995 mL/1L Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 999 mL/1L Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 100 % Gas 99 % Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 99 % - Prices
- Not Available
- Patents
- Not Available
Properties
- State
- Gas
- Experimental Properties
Property Value Source melting point (°C) -272.2 MSDS boiling point (°C) -269 MSDS water solubility 1.5mg/L MSDS logP 0.28 Human Metabolome Database - Predicted Properties
Property Value Source logP 0 Chemaxon Physiological Charge 0 Chemaxon Hydrogen Acceptor Count 0 Chemaxon Hydrogen Donor Count 0 Chemaxon Polar Surface Area 0 Å2 Chemaxon Rotatable Bond Count 0 Chemaxon Refractivity 0 m3·mol-1 Chemaxon Polarizability 1.78 Å3 Chemaxon Number of Rings 0 Chemaxon Bioavailability 1 Chemaxon Rule of Five Yes Chemaxon Ghose Filter No Chemaxon Veber's Rule Yes Chemaxon MDDR-like Rule No Chemaxon - Predicted ADMET Features
- Not Available
Spectra
- Mass Spec (NIST)
- Not Available
- Spectra
Spectrum Spectrum Type Splash Key Predicted MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Positive (Annotated) Predicted LC-MS/MS Not Available Predicted MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Positive (Annotated) Predicted LC-MS/MS Not Available Predicted MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Positive (Annotated) Predicted LC-MS/MS Not Available Predicted MS/MS Spectrum - 10V, Negative (Annotated) Predicted LC-MS/MS Not Available Predicted MS/MS Spectrum - 20V, Negative (Annotated) Predicted LC-MS/MS Not Available Predicted MS/MS Spectrum - 40V, Negative (Annotated) Predicted LC-MS/MS Not Available
Drug created at October 01, 2015 21:58 / Updated at December 01, 2023 08:05