Helium
Identification
- Name
- Helium
- Accession Number
- DB09155
- Description
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
- 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.
- Associated Conditions
- Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings
Learn about our commercial Contraindications & Blackbox Warnings data.
Learn More- Pharmacodynamics
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
Learn about our commercial Adverse Effects data.
Learn More- Toxicity
Little evidence of toxic effects from helium therapy in clinical settings. Due to high thermal conductivity, may cause hypothermia in case of prolonged administration.
- Affected organisms
- Humans and other mammals
- 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
- Brand Name Prescription Products
Name Dosage Strength Route Labeller Marketing Start Marketing End Region Image Unlock Additional DataHelium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) AGL Inhalation Therapy Co. 1966-01-01 Not applicable US 
Helium Gas 999 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Airgas Northern California And Nevada, Inc. 1965-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) ILMO Products Company 2019-09-02 Not applicable US Helium Gas 992 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc. 1987-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Gas 99 L/100L Respiratory (inhalation) Acetylene Oxygen Company 1936-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Gas 995 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Nordan Smith Welding Supply 1994-02-25 Not applicable US Helium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Air Products And Chemicals, Inc. 2005-01-01 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 Helium Gas 990 mL/1L Respiratory (inhalation) Haun Specialty Gases, Inc. 2005-01-04 Not applicable US Additional Data Available- Application NumberApplication Number
A unique ID assigned by the FDA when a product is submitted for approval by the labeller.
Learn more - Product CodeProduct Code
A governmentally-recognized ID which uniquely identifies the product within its regulatory market.
Learn more
- 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 Helium (50 %) + Oxygen (50 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Linde Llc 1995-12-31 Not applicable Canada Heliox 70/30 Helium (70 %) + Oxygen (30 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Vitalaire Canada Inc 2014-12-22 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 mixture Helium (80 %) + Oxygen (20 %) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Air Liquide Canada Inc. 1911-12-31 Not applicable Canada 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 North America LLC 1998-06-24 Not applicable US Heliox Helium (700 mL/1L) + Oxygen (300 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Spec Connection International Inc 2013-01-01 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 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) Praxair, Puerto Rico Inc. 2001-12-07 Not applicable US Helium Helium (99 L/100L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Acetylene Oxygen Company 1936-01-01 Not applicable US Helium Helium (990 mL/1L) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Gt Industries Inc 1994-01-01 Not applicable 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)
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. [PubMed:23916029]
- 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. [PubMed:21906368]
- 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. [PubMed:22146102]
- 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. [PubMed:20836899]
- 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. [PubMed:18662630]
- 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. [PubMed:14988333]
- 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. [PubMed:20460992]
- 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
- AHFS Codes
- 92:00.00 — Miscellaneous Therapeutic Agents
- 92:92.00 — Other Miscellaneous Therapeutic Agents
- MSDS
- Download (27.8 KB)
Clinical Trials
- Clinical Trials
Phase Status Purpose Conditions Count 4 Active Not Recruiting Basic Science Nuclear radiation emergency 1 3 Completed Supportive Care Bronchiolitis / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) 1 3 Completed Treatment Bronchiolitis 1 3 Completed Treatment Bronchiolitis Acute / Infections, Respiratory Syncytial Virus 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
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 Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Gas Respiratory (inhalation) Gas Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 79 % Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 60 % Gas Respiratory (inhalation) 70 % - 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 on October 01, 2015 15:58 / Updated on October 26, 2020 22:41
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