Drug interactions
Desflurane + Promethazine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Promethazine: 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
Promethazine is often used perioperatively and adds to the CNS depressant effects of inhaled anesthetics such as desflurane. This may prolong emergence, deepen sedation and increase the risk of respiratory depression or hypotension in the recovery period.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Promethazine 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; Promethazine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression from H1 antagonism and general anesthetic action.
What to do
Titrate anesthetic depth with the premedication in mind and monitor respiratory status and sedation during recovery. Reduce subsequent sedative or opioid doses as needed.
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 Promethazine
- Ibutilide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Promethazine Contraindicated
- Promethazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Promethazine Major
- Amiodarone + Promethazine Major
- Amisulpride + Promethazine Major
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Promethazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Promethazine 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. Promethazine is often used perioperatively and adds to the CNS depressant effects of inhaled anesthetics such as desflurane. This may prolong emergence, deepen sedation and increase the risk of respiratory depression or hypotension in the recovery period.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Promethazine?
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 anesthetic depth with the premedication in mind and monitor respiratory status and sedation during recovery. Reduce subsequent sedative or opioid doses as needed.
What other medicines interact with Promethazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Promethazine with, for example, Ibutilide, Pimozide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Promethazine page.
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