Drug interactions
Desflurane + Venlafaxine
Severity: Moderate
Desflurane and Venlafaxine: 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 anaesthetics such as desflurane can prolong the QT interval, and venlafaxine has a small QT-prolonging potential. Together they may increase the risk of perioperative arrhythmia, particularly in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Desflurane and Venlafaxine 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; Venlafaxine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarisation, with a theoretical contribution only from venlafaxine.
What to do
Continue venlafaxine perioperatively to avoid discontinuation symptoms, but ensure a baseline ECG and normal electrolytes. Monitor the ECG during anaesthesia in patients with other QT risk factors.
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 Venlafaxine
- Isocarboxazid + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Procarbazine + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Rasagiline + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
- Safinamide + Venlafaxine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Desflurane with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Desflurane and Venlafaxine 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 anaesthetics such as desflurane can prolong the QT interval, and venlafaxine has a small QT-prolonging potential. Together they may increase the risk of perioperative arrhythmia, particularly in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Desflurane and Venlafaxine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Continue venlafaxine perioperatively to avoid discontinuation symptoms, but ensure a baseline ECG and normal electrolytes. Monitor the ECG during anaesthesia in patients with other QT risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Venlafaxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Venlafaxine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Methylene blue, Phenelzine. The full list is on the Venlafaxine page.
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