Carbogen

What is this medication? Carbogen is a medical gas mixture composed of oxygen and a small percentage of carbon dioxide, usually ranging from five to seven percent. It is primarily used to increase blood flow and oxygen delivery to specific tissues by inducing vasodilation. Because carbon dioxide acts as a signal for the body to expand its blood vessels, inhaling this mixture helps improve circulation in sensitive areas such as the inner ear or the retina. Clinicians may use it to treat conditions like sudden sensorineural hearing loss or central retinal artery occlusion where restored blood flow is vital.

In addition to its use in vascular conditions, carbogen is often utilized in the field of radiation oncology. By increasing the oxygen levels within tumors that are typically oxygen-deprived, the gas helps make cancer cells more sensitive to radiation therapy. It is also used in laboratory and clinical settings to evaluate how blood vessels in the brain respond to changes in gas concentrations or to manage specific respiratory challenges. Due to its physiological effects, carbogen is administered exclusively under professional medical supervision.