Medical nitrous oxide is used as an anaesthetic and analgesic agent:
- It acts synergistically when combined with other inhaled or intravenous anaesthetic agents.
- Breathing is preserved more effectively by using the combination of medical nitrous oxide and any of the commonly used inhaled anaesthetics rather than when using only a potent inhaled anaesthetic.
- Its rapid ‘wash-in’ (uptake) and ‘wash-out’ (fast elimination) together with its ability to maintain spontaneous respiration allow faster emergence when used with a modern inhaled anaesthetic than when the anaesthetic is used alone.