Drug interactions
Desflurane + Midazolam
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Midazolam: 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
Midazolam lowers the concentration of inhaled anesthetic needed to maintain anesthesia and adds to its depressant effects. Together they can deepen sedation and cause more respiratory and cardiovascular depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Midazolam 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; Midazolam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through enhanced GABA-A activity from both agents.
What to do
Titrate desflurane concentration to effect and reduce it as needed when midazolam is given. Monitor ventilation, oxygen saturation and blood pressure continuously.
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 Midazolam
- Atazanavir + Midazolam Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Midazolam Contraindicated
- Darunavir + Midazolam Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Midazolam Contraindicated
- Fosamprenavir + Midazolam Contraindicated
- Indinavir + Midazolam Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Midazolam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Midazolam 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. Midazolam lowers the concentration of inhaled anesthetic needed to maintain anesthesia and adds to its depressant effects. Together they can deepen sedation and cause more respiratory and cardiovascular depression.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Midazolam?
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 concentration to effect and reduce it as needed when midazolam is given. Monitor ventilation, oxygen saturation and blood pressure continuously.
What other medicines interact with Midazolam?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Midazolam with, for example, Atazanavir, Cobicistat, Darunavir. The full list is on the Midazolam page.
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