Drug interactions
Desflurane + Quinidine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Quinidine: 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 can prolong the QT interval and, with quinidine, may increase the risk of arrhythmia during anesthesia. Quinidine may also potentiate neuromuscular blockade and hypotension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Quinidine 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; Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization (pharmacodynamic).
What to do
Inform the anesthesia team and monitor the ECG continuously perioperatively. Correct potassium and magnesium before surgery.
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 Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Quinidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Quinidine 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 can prolong the QT interval and, with quinidine, may increase the risk of arrhythmia during anesthesia. Quinidine may also potentiate neuromuscular blockade and hypotension.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Quinidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Inform the anesthesia team and monitor the ECG continuously perioperatively. Correct potassium and magnesium before surgery.
What other medicines interact with Quinidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Quinidine with, for example, Adagrasib, Arsenic trioxide, Artemether / lumefantrine. The full list is on the Quinidine page.
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