Drug interactions
Desflurane + Sodium oxybate
Severity: Major
Desflurane and Sodium oxybate: major 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
Sodium oxybate is a potent CNS depressant, and general anesthetics add to its sedative and respiratory depressant effects. Profound sedation, respiratory depression and coma can occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Sodium oxybate can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Desflurane belongs to Central Nervous System; Sodium oxybate belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via GABAergic mechanisms.
What to do
Tell the anesthesia team about oxybate use and consider withholding doses before and after the procedure. Provide airway and ventilation monitoring and use minimal effective anesthetic doses.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Desflurane
Other interactions of Sodium oxybate
- Alprazolam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Amobarbital + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Chloral hydrate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clonazepam + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Clorazepate + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Sodium oxybate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Desflurane and Sodium oxybate can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Sodium oxybate is a potent CNS depressant, and general anesthetics add to its sedative and respiratory depressant effects. Profound sedation, respiratory depression and coma can occur.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Sodium oxybate?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Tell the anesthesia team about oxybate use and consider withholding doses before and after the procedure. Provide airway and ventilation monitoring and use minimal effective anesthetic doses.
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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