Drug interactions
Donepezil + Isoflurane
Severity: Moderate
Donepezil and Isoflurane: 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
Isoflurane can prolong the QT interval during anesthesia, and donepezil adds QT-prolonging and bradycardic effects. Together they may increase the risk of perioperative arrhythmias. Donepezil may also prolong the effect of succinylcholine-type relaxants in the same setting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Donepezil and Isoflurane 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.
Donepezil belongs to Central Nervous System; Isoflurane belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with possible additive cholinergic bradycardia.
What to do
Inform the anesthesia team about donepezil use and obtain a preoperative ECG with electrolyte correction. Monitor the ECG continuously during anesthesia and have bradycardia treatment available.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Donepezil and Isoflurane, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Donepezil
- Donepezil + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Donepezil Major
- Amisulpride + Donepezil Major
Other interactions of Isoflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Donepezil with Isoflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Donepezil and Isoflurane 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. Isoflurane can prolong the QT interval during anesthesia, and donepezil adds QT-prolonging and bradycardic effects. Together they may increase the risk of perioperative arrhythmias. Donepezil may also prolong the effect of succinylcholine-type relaxants in the same setting.
How serious is the interaction between Donepezil and Isoflurane?
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 about donepezil use and obtain a preoperative ECG with electrolyte correction. Monitor the ECG continuously during anesthesia and have bradycardia treatment available.
What other medicines interact with Donepezil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Donepezil with, for example, Dronedarone, Pimozide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Donepezil page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
