Halothane

MAC	0.75 (40 Year Old)
Blood:gas partition coefficient	2.3
Oil:gas partition coefficient	224

Halothane
Clinical data
Trade names	Fluothane, Somnothane, Rhodialothan
AHFS/Drugs.com	FDA Professional Drug Information
License data	US DailyMed: Halothane;
Routes of; administration	Inhalation
Drug class	Volatile anesthetic
ATC code	N01AB01 (WHO) ;
Legal status
Legal status	BR: Class C1 (Other controlled substances); US: ℞-only;
Pharmacokinetic data
Metabolism	Hepatic (CYP2E1)
Excretion	Kidney, respiratory
Identifiers
	IUPAC name 2-Bromo-2-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoroethane;
CAS Number	151-67-7 ;
PubChem CID	3562;
IUPHAR/BPS	2401;
DrugBank	DB01159 ;
ChemSpider	3441 ;
UNII	UQT9G45D1P;
KEGG	D00542 ;
ChEBI	CHEBI:5615 ;
ChEMBL	ChEMBL931 ;
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID4025371 ;
ECHA InfoCard	100.005.270
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C2HBrClF3
Molar mass	197.38 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image;
Density	1.871 g/cm3 (at 20 °C)
Melting point	−118 °C (−180 °F)
Boiling point	50.2 °C (122.4 °F)
	SMILES BrC(Cl)C(F)(F)F;
	InChI InChI=1S/C2HBrClF3/c3-1(4)2(5,6)7/h1H ; Key:BCQZXOMGPXTTIC-UHFFFAOYSA-N ;
	(verify)

Halothane (bromochlorotrifluoroethane), sold under the brand name Fluothane among others, is a halocarbon with the chemical formula CF₃CHBrCl. It is used as a general anaesthetic given by inhalation. It can be used to induce or maintain anaesthesia. Its use in developed countries has been mostly replaced by newer anesthetic agents such as sevoflurane. One of its benefits is that it does not increase the production of saliva, which can be particularly useful in those who are difficult to intubate.

Side effects include an irregular heartbeat, respiratory depression, and hepatotoxicity. Like all volatile anesthetics, it should not be used in people with a personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia. It appears to be safe in porphyria. It is unclear whether its usage during pregnancy is harmful to the fetus, and its use during a C-section is generally discouraged. Halothane is a chiral molecule that is used as a racemic mixture.

Halothane was discovered in 1951. It was approved for medical use in the United States in 1958. It was removed from the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines in 2025 in favor of safer alternatives. It is not available in the United States. Halothane may contribute to ozone depletion.