Does Epinephrine Interact with Desflurane?
Epinephrine and Desflurane have a minor drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Similar to isoflurane, desflurane does not predispose to premature ventricular arrhythmias in the presence of exogenously infused epinephrine. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Minor
- Epinephrine Class
- alpha-Adrenergic Agonist
- Desflurane Class
- General Anesthetic
- Management
- Generally manageable
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Epinephrine and your doctor is considering prescribing Desflurane (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider