Drug interactions
Desflurane + Primaquine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Primaquine: 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
Volatile anesthetics such as desflurane can prolong the QT interval, and primaquine may add to this effect. The perioperative setting, with electrolyte shifts and other QT-active drugs, raises the risk of arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Primaquine 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; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation.
What to do
Review the QTc before surgery and correct potassium and magnesium. Monitor the ECG during anesthesia and avoid other QT-prolonging drugs perioperatively.
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 Primaquine
- Pimozide + Primaquine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Primaquine Major
- Amisulpride + Primaquine Major
- Anagrelide + Primaquine Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Primaquine Major
- Asenapine + Primaquine Major
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Primaquine 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. Volatile anesthetics such as desflurane can prolong the QT interval, and primaquine may add to this effect. The perioperative setting, with electrolyte shifts and other QT-active drugs, raises the risk of arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Primaquine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Review the QTc before surgery and correct potassium and magnesium. Monitor the ECG during anesthesia and avoid other QT-prolonging drugs perioperatively.
What other medicines interact with Primaquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Primaquine with, for example, Pimozide, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Primaquine page.
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