Drug interactions
Desflurane + Lorazepam
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Lorazepam: 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 reduce the amount of volatile anesthetic needed and add to its CNS and respiratory depression. Recovery may be prolonged with residual sedation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Lorazepam 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; Lorazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive GABA-A mediated CNS depression, with anesthetic potentiation by the benzodiazepine.
What to do
Anesthesia providers should titrate desflurane to effect and monitor depth of anesthesia, ventilation and recovery. Allow for prolonged emergence after lorazepam premedication.
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 Lorazepam
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Lorazepam 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 reduce the amount of volatile anesthetic needed and add to its CNS and respiratory depression. Recovery may be prolonged with residual sedation.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Anesthesia providers should titrate desflurane to effect and monitor depth of anesthesia, ventilation and recovery. Allow for prolonged emergence after lorazepam premedication.
What other medicines interact with Lorazepam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lorazepam with, for example, Alfentanil, Alprazolam, Amobarbital. The full list is on the Lorazepam page.
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