Drug interactions
Desflurane + Methadone
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Methadone: 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 methadone reduce the amount of inhaled anesthetic needed and add to anesthetic-induced CNS and respiratory depression. Hypotension and delayed recovery or prolonged postoperative respiratory depression may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Methadone 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; Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression.
What to do
Titrate the desflurane concentration to clinical effect and monitor ventilation and hemodynamics. Plan for postoperative respiratory monitoring and adjust opioid dosing.
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 Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Methadone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Methadone 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 methadone reduce the amount of inhaled anesthetic needed and add to anesthetic-induced CNS and respiratory depression. Hypotension and delayed recovery or prolonged postoperative respiratory depression may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Methadone?
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 the desflurane concentration to clinical effect and monitor ventilation and hemodynamics. Plan for postoperative respiratory monitoring and adjust opioid dosing.
What other medicines interact with Methadone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methadone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Droperidol. The full list is on the Methadone page.
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