Drug interactions
Desflurane + Diphenhydramine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Diphenhydramine: 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
Diphenhydramine causes marked sedation and can potentiate the CNS depression of inhaled anesthetics. This may delay awakening and increase the risk of postoperative respiratory depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Diphenhydramine 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; Diphenhydramine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from H1-antihistamine sedation and volatile anesthetic action.
What to do
Adjust desflurane dose to anesthetic depth monitoring. Monitor sedation and ventilation in recovery.
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 Desflurane
Other interactions of Diphenhydramine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Diphenhydramine 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. Diphenhydramine causes marked sedation and can potentiate the CNS depression of inhaled anesthetics. This may delay awakening and increase the risk of postoperative respiratory depression.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Diphenhydramine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Adjust desflurane dose to anesthetic depth monitoring. Monitor sedation and ventilation in recovery.
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.
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