Drug interactions
Desflurane + Penbutolol
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Penbutolol: 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
Desflurane causes vasodilation and myocardial depression, and a beta-blocker such as penbutolol can blunt compensatory tachycardia. This may cause more pronounced hypotension and bradycardia during anesthesia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Penbutolol 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.
Why it happens
Additive negative cardiovascular effects: anesthetic vasodilation and myocardial depression combined with beta-adrenergic blockade.
What to do
Generally continue chronic beta-blockers perioperatively, and monitor blood pressure and heart rate continuously. Treat bradycardia or hypotension with anticholinergics, fluids or vasopressors.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Penbutolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Penbutolol 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 causes vasodilation and myocardial depression, and a beta-blocker such as penbutolol can blunt compensatory tachycardia. This may cause more pronounced hypotension and bradycardia during anesthesia.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Penbutolol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Generally continue chronic beta-blockers perioperatively, and monitor blood pressure and heart rate continuously. Treat bradycardia or hypotension with anticholinergics, fluids or vasopressors.
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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