Drug interactions
Desflurane + Diazepam
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Diazepam: 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
Benzodiazepines such as diazepam reduce the amount of inhaled anesthetic required and add to its CNS and respiratory depression. This is commonly exploited in anesthesia but needs to be controlled to avoid excessive depth and slow recovery.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Diazepam 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.
Desflurane belongs to Central Nervous System; Diazepam belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression through GABA-A potentiation by both agents.
What to do
Titrate desflurane to effect and monitor ventilation and hemodynamics, expecting lower anesthetic requirements. Allow for prolonged emergence and recovery in patients given diazepam.
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?
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Other interactions of Diazepam
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Diazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Diazepam 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. Benzodiazepines such as diazepam reduce the amount of inhaled anesthetic required and add to its CNS and respiratory depression. This is commonly exploited in anesthesia but needs to be controlled to avoid excessive depth and slow recovery.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Diazepam?
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 to effect and monitor ventilation and hemodynamics, expecting lower anesthetic requirements. Allow for prolonged emergence and recovery in patients given diazepam.
What other medicines interact with Diazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diazepam with, for example, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Alfentanil, Alprazolam. The full list is on the Diazepam page.
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