Drug interactions
Amiodarone + Desflurane
Severity: Moderate
Amiodarone and Desflurane: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Volatile anaesthetics such as desflurane can prolong the QT interval, and amiodarone adds to this effect. Amiodarone can also contribute to bradycardia and hypotension during anaesthesia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amiodarone and Desflurane can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amiodarone belongs to Cardiovascular; Desflurane belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation and cardiovascular depression (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Tell the anaesthetist about amiodarone use, check the pre-operative ECG and electrolytes, and monitor rhythm and blood pressure continuously during anaesthesia.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amiodarone and Desflurane, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Amiodarone
- Amiodarone + Amisulpride Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Eliglustat Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amiodarone with Desflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amiodarone and Desflurane can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Volatile anaesthetics such as desflurane can prolong the QT interval, and amiodarone adds to this effect. Amiodarone can also contribute to bradycardia and hypotension during anaesthesia.
How serious is the interaction between Amiodarone and Desflurane?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Tell the anaesthetist about amiodarone use, check the pre-operative ECG and electrolytes, and monitor rhythm and blood pressure continuously during anaesthesia.
What other medicines interact with Amiodarone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Amiodarone with, for example, Amisulpride, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide. The full list is on the Amiodarone page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
