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Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is an anesthetic gas. It is used during dental work and with patients who are not candidates for more commonly used anesthetics during surgery.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—This medication may deplete these substances from the body or interfere with how they work; extra intake may help replenish them. | Folic Acid Vitamin B12 |
| May Be Beneficial: Side effect reduction and/or prevention—These substances may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.
| Catechin* Ginger* Milk Thistle* |
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—These substances may help this medication work better. | none |
 Avoid: Reduces drug effectiveness—When taking this medication, avoid these substances as they may decrease the medication's absorption and/or activity in the body. | none |
| Avoid: Adverse interaction—When taking this medication, avoid these substances, as the combination may cause undesirable or dangerous interactions. | none |
 Check: Explanation needed—When taking this medication, read the article details and discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these substances. | none |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Also indexed as:
- laughing gas,
- nitrous oxide
About this treatment
Interactions with Vitamins
Folic acid and Vitamin B12
Nitrous oxide interferes with activity of vitamin B12, which further interferes with the activity of folic acid, causing adverse actions. Administration of folic acid or folinic acid (activated folic acid) has reversed nitrous oxide-induced bone marrow changes. People with vitamin B12 deficiency may be especially susceptible. People who will undergo nitrous oxide anesthesia for several hours may benefit from vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation. Some doctors recommend 100 mcg of vitamin B12 and 1,000 mcg folic acid, starting one week before through one week after prolonged exposure to nitrous oxide. People with normal vitamin B12 levels who undergo short-duration nitrous oxide anesthesia (less than two hours) do not require supplementation.
Catechin
Some general anesthetic drugs have infrequently caused liver damage. One animal study showed that taking catechin (a bioflavonoid) prior to halothane exposure reduced the amount of liver damage caused by the drug. Additional research is needed to determine whether this protective effect occurs in humans and with other general anesthetics.
Interactions with Herbs
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
General anesthetics commonly cause nausea upon waking. In a double-blind study, taking 1 gram of ginger one hour before surgery was as effective at reducing nausea and vomiting as the anti-nausea drug metoclopramide. Individuals taking ginger in order to avoid side effects should disclose this to their doctor prior to surgery, since the herb might affect blood clotting.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
Some general anesthetic drugs have infrequently caused liver damage. One animal study showed that taking silybine, an active compound found in milk thistle, prior to halothane exposure reduced the amount of liver damage caused by the drug. Though controlled research in humans is necessary, some doctors of natural medicine currently suggest taking milk thistle standardized to contain 140 mg of silymarin three times a day, beginning a week before surgery and continuing for at least one week after surgery.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
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Please read the disclaimer about the limitations of the information provided here. Do NOT rely solely on the information in this article. The Aisle7 knowledgebase does not contain every possible interaction.
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
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