Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Desflurane
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline 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
Tricyclic antidepressants may increase the risk of arrhythmia and hemodynamic instability during volatile anaesthesia. Both can prolong the QT interval and add to CNS depression and hypotension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline 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.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Desflurane belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, CNS depression and cardiovascular effects, including sensitisation to catecholamines.
What to do
Inform the anaesthesia team and monitor ECG and blood pressure continuously. Avoid sympathomimetic vasopressors where possible and correct electrolytes.
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 Amitriptyline 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 Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Desflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline 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. Tricyclic antidepressants may increase the risk of arrhythmia and hemodynamic instability during volatile anaesthesia. Both can prolong the QT interval and add to CNS depression and hypotension.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline 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: Inform the anaesthesia team and monitor ECG and blood pressure continuously. Avoid sympathomimetic vasopressors where possible and correct electrolytes.
What other medicines interact with Amitriptyline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Amitriptyline with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Amitriptyline 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.
