Which of the following volatile anesthetics is unique in containing preservative?

Which of the following volatile anesthetics is unique in containing preservative?

• A. Sevoflurane
• B. Desflurane
• C. Isoflurane
• D. Halothane

Answer: (D)

Preservatives are added to some volatile anesthetics that are packaged in multi-dose bottles to prevent microbial growth. Halothane is unique because it historically included thymol, a preservative, in its solution. That makes Halothane the only one among the common inhaled anesthetics in this set that contains a preservative in its standard formulation. The others—Sevoflurane, Desflurane, and Isoflurane—are typically supplied preservative-free or in single-dose packaging, so they do not include a preservative in their usual formulations.

Preservatives are added to some volatile anesthetics that are packaged in multi-dose bottles to prevent microbial growth. Halothane is unique because it historically included thymol, a preservative, in its solution. That makes Halothane the only one among the common inhaled anesthetics in this set that contains a preservative in its standard formulation. The others—Sevoflurane, Desflurane, and Isoflurane—are typically supplied preservative-free or in single-dose packaging, so they do not include a preservative in their usual formulations.