What is "oxygent"

Oxygent is a human blood substitute designed for surgical applications by the Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp. As of February 2005, the substance had not been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as there are questions about its safety. Phase 2 trials were announced in 2007.

There are several advantages of using artificial blood substitutes instead of human blood transfusions: it will not spread blood-borne diseases; it is a universal replacement for people in any blood type; and it is acceptable to Jehovah's Witnesses who refuse human blood transfusions.

Oxygent is a lecithin-stabilized emulsion of a perfluorocarbon.