Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen 5/95

What is this medication?

Carbon Dioxide/Oxygen 5/95 is a medical gas mixture containing five percent carbon dioxide and ninety-five percent oxygen. This specific combination is primarily used to stimulate the respiratory system and improve blood circulation in targeted areas of the body. Carbon dioxide serves as a natural trigger for the brain to increase the depth and rate of breathing, while also acting as a vasodilator to widen blood vessels. This allows the high concentration of oxygen to reach tissues more efficiently, making it a valuable tool in emergency and specialized clinical settings.

Doctors frequently prescribe this mixture to treat conditions such as retinal artery occlusion, where improving blood flow to the eye is critical for preventing vision loss. It is also utilized in the management of carbon monoxide poisoning to help flush toxins from the blood more rapidly. Beyond these uses, the gas may be administered to assist in diagnostic lung testing or to resolve severe, persistent hiccups that do not respond to other treatments. Because it alters blood chemistry and respiratory patterns, it is always administered under the guidance of healthcare professionals using controlled delivery equipment.