Drug interactions
Desflurane + Ephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Ephedrine: 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
Desflurane sensitizes the myocardium to catecholamines and sympathomimetics, and ephedrine can cause tachycardia and hypertension. Ephedrine is commonly used intraoperatively to treat anesthesia-induced hypotension, and it is generally tolerated at titrated doses, though arrhythmia is possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Ephedrine 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; Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Sympathomimetic stimulation combined with the sympathetic activation seen with desflurane, with possible myocardial sensitization to catecholamines.
What to do
Give ephedrine in small titrated boluses with continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring. Choose another vasopressor if arrhythmias or marked hypertension occur.
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 Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Ephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Ephedrine 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 sensitizes the myocardium to catecholamines and sympathomimetics, and ephedrine can cause tachycardia and hypertension. Ephedrine is commonly used intraoperatively to treat anesthesia-induced hypotension, and it is generally tolerated at titrated doses, though arrhythmia is possible.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Ephedrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give ephedrine in small titrated boluses with continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring. Choose another vasopressor if arrhythmias or marked hypertension occur.
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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