Desflurane

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 1, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Suprane

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Liquid

Therapeutic Class: Volatile Liquid

Chemical Class: Haloalkane

Uses for desflurane

Desflurane belongs to the group of medicines known as general anesthetics. Inhaled desflurane is used to cause general anesthesia (loss of consciousness) before and during surgery in adults. It is also used as a maintenance anesthesia in adults and children after receiving other anesthetics before and during surgery.

Desflurane is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a trained doctor .

Before using desflurane

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For desflurane, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to desflurane or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of inhaled desflurane in children after receiving other anesthetics. However, children 6 years of age and younger are more likely to have unwanted side effects, such as coughing, chest tightness, or trouble breathing, which may require caution in patients receiving desflurane.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of inhaled desflurane in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have unwanted effects, which may require a dose adjustment in patients receiving desflurane.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving desflurane, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using desflurane with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Alfentanil
• Cisatracurium
• Dexmethylphenidate
• Methylphenidate
• Nitrous Oxide
• Norepinephrine
• Serdexmethylphenidate
• St John's Wort

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating cert...