Drug interactions
Desflurane + Meperidine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Meperidine: 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
Opioids such as meperidine add to the sedative and respiratory depressant effects of inhaled anesthetics and lower the concentration of desflurane needed. Hypotension and delayed recovery with postoperative respiratory depression may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Meperidine 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; Meperidine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression; opioids reduce minimum alveolar concentration.
What to do
Titrate desflurane to effect with anesthetic depth monitoring, and watch ventilation and hemodynamics. Monitor closely for respiratory depression 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 Meperidine
- Alvimopan + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Meperidine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Meperidine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Meperidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Meperidine 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. Opioids such as meperidine add to the sedative and respiratory depressant effects of inhaled anesthetics and lower the concentration of desflurane needed. Hypotension and delayed recovery with postoperative respiratory depression may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Meperidine?
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 with anesthetic depth monitoring, and watch ventilation and hemodynamics. Monitor closely for respiratory depression in recovery.
What other medicines interact with Meperidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Meperidine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Meperidine page.
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