Tag: Respiratory failure

Over 3 million people worldwide are affected by respiratory failure each year, with mortality rates as high as 40% in severe cases. The first line treatment for respiratory failure involves a rapid, combined approach of immediate ventilatory support and targeted pharmacological intervention to address the root cause.

Data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) identifies thousands of cases of drug-induced respiratory depression (DIRD), with opioids showing the strongest risk signals [1.4.2]. Understanding **which drugs cause respiratory failure** is critical for patient safety and preventing life-threatening events.

Modern anesthesia is extremely safe, and continuous monitoring is standard practice, which means that if you stop breathing while under anesthesia, a trained medical professional is immediately aware and prepared to intervene. Anesthesia machines are equipped with ventilators that can breathe for the patient to prevent a life-threatening event from occurring.