Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Sevoflurane
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine 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
Ephedrine is commonly used to treat anesthesia-induced hypotension, but volatile anesthetics can sensitize the myocardium to sympathomimetics. Excessive dosing may cause tachyarrhythmias or hypertension, though sevoflurane is less arrhythmogenic than older agents.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine 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.
Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular; Sevoflurane belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Sevoflurane increases myocardial sensitivity to catecholamines, adding to the indirect sympathomimetic action of ephedrine.
What to do
Give ephedrine in small titrated doses with continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring. Treat tachyarrhythmia or hypertension promptly if it appears.
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
Other interactions of Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ephedrine with Sevoflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine 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. Ephedrine is commonly used to treat anesthesia-induced hypotension, but volatile anesthetics can sensitize the myocardium to sympathomimetics. Excessive dosing may cause tachyarrhythmias or hypertension, though sevoflurane is less arrhythmogenic than older agents.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine 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: Give ephedrine in small titrated doses with continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring. Treat tachyarrhythmia or hypertension promptly if it appears.
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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