Drug interactions
Isoflurane + Oxytocin
Severity: Moderate
Isoflurane and Oxytocin: 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
Oxytocin can cause hypotension, tachycardia and, rarely, QT prolongation, particularly with rapid intravenous bolus. Volatile anesthetics add vasodilation and uterine relaxation, so hypotension and reduced uterotonic effect are possible.
What this interaction means in plain words
Isoflurane and Oxytocin 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 belongs to Central Nervous System; Oxytocin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive hypotension and possible QT prolongation; volatile anesthetics also relax uterine smooth muscle, opposing oxytocin.
What to do
Give oxytocin as a slow infusion rather than a bolus and monitor blood pressure and the ECG. Be ready to add uterotonics if uterine atony occurs under volatile anesthesia.
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 Isoflurane
Other interactions of Oxytocin
- Carboprost tromethamine + Oxytocin Major
- Dinoprostone + Oxytocin Major
- Ephedrine + Oxytocin Major
- Fexinidazole + Oxytocin Major
- Givinostat + Oxytocin Major
- Misoprostol + Oxytocin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Isoflurane with Oxytocin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Isoflurane and Oxytocin 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. Oxytocin can cause hypotension, tachycardia and, rarely, QT prolongation, particularly with rapid intravenous bolus. Volatile anesthetics add vasodilation and uterine relaxation, so hypotension and reduced uterotonic effect are possible.
How serious is the interaction between Isoflurane and Oxytocin?
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 oxytocin as a slow infusion rather than a bolus and monitor blood pressure and the ECG. Be ready to add uterotonics if uterine atony occurs under volatile anesthesia.
What other medicines interact with Isoflurane?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Isoflurane with, for example, Adrenaline-articaine, Amisulpride, Arsenic trioxide. The full list is on the Isoflurane page.
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