Sojourn

1 What is Sojourn?

Brand: Sojourn, Ultane, Ultane Amerinet, Ultane Novation

Generic: Sevoflurane

Sojourn (Sevoflurane) belongs to the group of medicines known as general anesthetics. Sojourn is used to cause general anesthesia (loss of consciousness) before and during surgery. 

Sojourn is given to patients as a gas for inhalation. Although Sojourn can be given alone, it is often administered in combinations with other anesthetics and relaxant. This helps produce more effective anesthesia in some patients.

General anesthetics like Sojourn are given only by or under the immediate supervision of a doctor trained to use them. If you will be receiving a general anesthetic during your surgery, your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will give you the medicine and closely follow your progress.

You can only use Sojourn with doctor's supervision. Use of Sojourn without doctor's supervision can be dangerous and can lead to death. 

2 What to Know Before Using

The doctor will consider the following first before prescribing Sojourn.

Allergies

Tell the doctor all the allergies you have, or if you have a history of having allergies to certain anesthetic agents. You cannot use Sojourn if you are allergic to it.

Use on children and elderly

Sojourn can be given to children and elderly patients with doctor’s supervision.

Health conditions

Make sure to tell all your health problems to the doctor before taking Sojourn. You cannot use Sojourn if you have or have a history of malignant hyperthermia.

The doctor needs to know if you have the following health problems, which can cause interactions if you use Sojourn:

  • Any problems in the liver, or elevated liver enzymes
  • Heart disease
  • Lung disease
  • Any infection
  • Kidney disease or difficulties in urination
  • Any problems in breathing

Pregnancy

Make sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Sojourn. Sojourn is an FDA pregnancy category B drug, which means it may be somewhat safe to use in pregnant patients. However, there are certain drugs also used during surgery or after surgery that can be harmful to patients who are pregnant.

Breastfeeding

Ask your doctor if it is safe to breastfeed shortly after taking Sojourn.

Drug interactions

You need to tell all the medicines you take to your doctor before taking Sojourn to avoid drug interactions. Sojourn can interact with certain drugs that can result to undesired effects. Tell your doctor if you take any of the following medications:

  • Other painkillers or anesthetics
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Opioids
  • Muscle relaxants
  • Amiodarone
  • Droxidopa
  • Labetalol

3 Proper Usage

Sojourn is given by the doctor or other health professionals using specialized equipment in the hospital. It is given right before surgery. Sojourn and other anesthetics are usually prescribed and given under the supervision of a specialist doctor called an anesthesiologist.

An overdose of Sojourn is unlikely because it is given by health professionals and you will be monitored throughout the surgery. 

4 Precautions to Take

Make sure to report untoward symptoms to your doctor when you take Sojourn.

After taking Sojourn, do not take any other medication unless it is approved by your doctor.

5 Potential Side Effects

Call the doctor if you experienced any of the following after taking Sojourn:

  • Symptoms of severe allergic reaction such as hives, skin rash, swelling of the mouth, nose, tongue or throat
  • Loss of ability to control urination
  • Having seizures
  • Loss of muscle tone
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Cough
  • Restlessness
  • Slow, too fast or abnormal heart rhythm
  • Fever
  • Slowed breathing rate
  • Lightheadedness or fainting

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