Drug interactions
Desflurane + Diamorphine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Diamorphine: 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
Diamorphine (heroin) is an opioid that adds respiratory depression and sedation to desflurane and reduces the anesthetic concentration needed. Excess combined effect may cause hypoventilation, hypotension and prolonged recovery.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Diamorphine 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via mu-opioid agonism and anesthetic action.
What to do
Titrate desflurane downward as opioid is given and monitor respiratory rate, oxygenation and blood pressure. Keep naloxone and airway support available.
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 Desflurane and Diamorphine, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Diamorphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Diamorphine 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. Diamorphine (heroin) is an opioid that adds respiratory depression and sedation to desflurane and reduces the anesthetic concentration needed. Excess combined effect may cause hypoventilation, hypotension and prolonged recovery.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Diamorphine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Titrate desflurane downward as opioid is given and monitor respiratory rate, oxygenation and blood pressure. Keep naloxone and airway support available.
What other medicines interact with Desflurane?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Desflurane with, for example, Amisulpride, Anagrelide, Arsenic trioxide. The full list is on the Desflurane 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.
