Carbon Dioxide Oxygen

What is this medication?

Carbon dioxide oxygen is a prescription medical gas mixture, often referred to as carbogen, that typically contains a small percentage of carbon dioxide blended with a high concentration of oxygen. This combination is primarily used to stimulate the respiratory center in the brain, causing an individual to breathe more deeply and rapidly. By increasing the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood, the medication encourages the lungs to expand further and can help restore normal breathing patterns in patients who are experiencing respiratory depression or certain types of gas poisoning.

In addition to its role in respiratory stimulation, this mixture is used in specialized medical procedures to improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to specific tissues. It is sometimes administered to treat certain eye conditions, such as central retinal artery occlusion, by dilating blood vessels in the retina to improve circulation. Doctors may also use it during specific diagnostic tests or as an adjunct therapy in radiation oncology to enhance the oxygenation of tumors, which can make them more sensitive to treatment.