Drug interactions
Diamorphine + Sevoflurane
Severity: Moderate
Diamorphine and Sevoflurane: 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
Diamorphine (heroin) is a potent opioid that adds to sevoflurane's sedation, respiratory depression and hypotension. This is often used deliberately but needs careful dosing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Diamorphine and Sevoflurane 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.
Why it happens
Additive CNS and respiratory depression via mu-opioid receptor agonism combined with volatile anesthetic action.
What to do
Titrate to effect with continuous monitoring of respiration and blood pressure, and reduce sevoflurane requirements accordingly. Extend postoperative respiratory monitoring.
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 Sevoflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Diamorphine with Sevoflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Diamorphine and Sevoflurane 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. Diamorphine (heroin) is a potent opioid that adds to sevoflurane's sedation, respiratory depression and hypotension. This is often used deliberately but needs careful dosing.
How serious is the interaction between Diamorphine and Sevoflurane?
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 to effect with continuous monitoring of respiration and blood pressure, and reduce sevoflurane requirements accordingly. Extend postoperative respiratory monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Sevoflurane?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sevoflurane with, for example, Amiodarone, Amisulpride, Arsenic trioxide. The full list is on the Sevoflurane page.
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