Drug interactions
Desflurane + Ketamine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Ketamine: 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
Ketamine reduces volatile anesthetic requirements and the combination increases the depth of anesthesia. Recovery may be prolonged and hemodynamic effects may be altered.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Ketamine 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; Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through NMDA antagonism and enhancement of GABA-mediated inhibition by the volatile agent.
What to do
Reduce the desflurane concentration guided by depth-of-anesthesia monitoring. Monitor hemodynamics and watch for prolonged emergence.
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 Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Ketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Ketamine 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. Ketamine reduces volatile anesthetic requirements and the combination increases the depth of anesthesia. Recovery may be prolonged and hemodynamic effects may be altered.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Ketamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Reduce the desflurane concentration guided by depth-of-anesthesia monitoring. Monitor hemodynamics and watch for prolonged emergence.
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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