Drug interactions
Isoflurane + Pseudoephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Isoflurane and Pseudoephedrine: 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 sensitizes the myocardium to catecholamines, and sympathomimetics such as pseudoephedrine may add to this effect. Under anesthesia this can cause hypertension and ventricular arrhythmias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Isoflurane and Pseudoephedrine 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; Pseudoephedrine belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Halogenated anesthetics sensitize the myocardium to catecholamines, adding to sympathomimetic stimulation.
What to do
Tell the anesthesia team about recent pseudoephedrine use and consider holding it before elective surgery. Monitor ECG and blood pressure intraoperatively.
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 Pseudoephedrine
- Isocarboxazid + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Pseudoephedrine Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Pseudoephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Isoflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Isoflurane with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Isoflurane and Pseudoephedrine 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 sensitizes the myocardium to catecholamines, and sympathomimetics such as pseudoephedrine may add to this effect. Under anesthesia this can cause hypertension and ventricular arrhythmias.
How serious is the interaction between Isoflurane and Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Tell the anesthesia team about recent pseudoephedrine use and consider holding it before elective surgery. Monitor ECG and blood pressure intraoperatively.
What other medicines interact with Pseudoephedrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pseudoephedrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Rasagiline. The full list is on the Pseudoephedrine page.
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