Carbon Dioxide

What is this medication? Carbon dioxide is a medical gas used primarily as a respiratory stimulant and for various diagnostic or surgical procedures. In a clinical setting, it is often administered to help manage a patient's breathing patterns, particularly to stimulate deep breathing or to treat conditions like hypocapnia. It is frequently mixed with oxygen to ensure the patient maintains adequate oxygenation while the carbon dioxide works to trigger the natural respiratory drive in the brain.

Beyond respiratory support, medical grade carbon dioxide is widely used during minimally invasive surgeries such as laparoscopy and endoscopy. Surgeons use the gas to inflate body cavities, creating a clear space to visualize organs and operate more safely. It is also utilized in cryotherapy for treating certain skin conditions and in specific imaging tests to help provide better contrast during various types of medical scans.