Desflurane
About Desflurane
Desflurane is an inhaled medication used to start and maintain general anaesthesia in patients undergoing surgery. It helps put you into a deep, temporary sleep so you do not feel pain or remember the surgical procedure. This medicine is only used in a hospital or specialised surgery centre setting.
Because Desflurane is an inhaled gas used specifically during surgery, it is not a daily medication that you take at home. It is inhaled continuously during your procedure under the close supervision of an anaesthesia doctor to keep you asleep. Before your surgery, your doctor will give you specific guidelines, such as fasting and avoiding certain substances, to help ensure the medicine works safely and effectively.
Some people may experience mild side effects like coughing, a temporary rise in heart rate, or nausea and vomiting after waking up. It is important to talk to your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual symptoms or feel unwell after your procedure, especially if you experience severe shivering or difficulty breathing.
Do not take this if you or anyone in your family has a history of a rare, severe reaction to anaesthesia called malignant hyperthermia, which causes a dangerously high body temperature and muscle stiffness. It should also not be used if you have had severe liver damage from previous inhaled anesthetics. Before your procedure, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, liver problems, or muscle disorders.
Desflurane can interact with muscle relaxants, blood pressure medications, and strong pain medicines, which may affect how your body reacts during surgery. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the risks and benefits before your procedure.
Uses of Desflurane
Medicinal Benefits
Desflurane offers several clinical benefits that help make your surgery safer and more comfortable. Because it is inhaled and leaves the body quickly through the lungs, it allows for a very fast recovery once the surgery is complete. Key benefits include:
- Quick wake-up time: Patients generally wake up rapidly after the medicine is turned off, helping you regain alertness sooner.
- Precise control: The anaesthesia doctor can easily adjust the amount of gas you receive to keep you at the perfect level of sleep throughout your procedure.
- Reliable pain prevention: It ensures you remain completely asleep and free from pain during the entire operation.
Directions for Use
- Desflurane will be administered by a trained anesthesiologist.
- Do not self-administer it.
Storage
Side Effects of Desflurane
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Coughing or breath-holding
- Increased saliva or spitting
- Nausea and vomiting after surgery
- Temporary increase in blood pressure or heart rate
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Dangerously high body temperature, muscle stiffness, or rapid heart rate (signs of malignant hyperthermia)
- Extremely slow, shallow, or difficult breathing
- Irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- Severe muscle weakness or pain, especially in children
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Share your medical history: Tell your anaesthesia provider if you or any family members have ever had a dangerous reaction to anaesthesia, especially malignant hyperthermia.
- Report muscle disorders: Inform your doctor if you have neuromuscular diseases like muscular dystrophy, as this medicine can cause severe muscle breakdown in these cases.
- Mention liver health: Let your doctor know if you have a history of liver issues or have ever had yellowing of the skin (jaundice) after a previous surgery.
- Avoid complex tasks post-surgery: Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or make important decisions for at least 24 hours after waking up.
- Be prepared for airway irritation: If you have asthma or a recent cold, inform your doctor, as this gas can temporarily irritate sensitive airways.
Drug Interactions
- Muscle relaxants: This medicine can significantly increase the effects of muscle-relaxing medications used during surgery, requiring the doctor to adjust the dose.
- Blood pressure medicines: Combining this gas with certain blood pressure medications can cause your blood pressure to drop lower than normal during surgery.
- Opioids and sedatives: Strong pain medicines or anti-anxiety drugs can increase the depth of anaesthesia and slow down your breathing, requiring careful dose adjustments.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAvoid consumption of alcohol with Desflurane as it may cause serious side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionDesflurane belongs to pregnancy category B. Inform your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication if you are expecting a child, believe you may be pregnant, or intend to become pregnant. Adequate data regarding Desflurane use in women who are pregnant is lacking. Desflurane, therefore, should only be administered to women who are pregnant when it is absolutely necessary.
Breast Feeding
unsafeInform your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medication if you are currently nursing a baby. Adequate data regarding desflurane use in women who are nursing is lacking. Desflurane, therefore, should only be administered to women who are nursing when it is deemed absolutely necessary. Avoid breastfeeding during treatment with Desflurane and for about 24 hours after the treatment.
Driving
unsafeDesflurane may impair your alertness. Therefore, avoid driving and operating machinery for at least 24 hours after receiving Desflurane.
Liver
cautionIf you have a history of liver impairment, inform the doctor before receiving Desflurane.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have a history of kidney impairment, inform the doctor before receiving Desflurane.
Children
consult your doctorDesflurane is authorized for tracheal intubation and the maintenance of anaesthesia in infants and children following anaesthesia induction with agents other than desflurane. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow fasting rules strictly: Do not eat or drink anything for several hours before your surgery, as directed by your doctor. This prevents stomach contents from entering your lungs while you are asleep.
- Avoid smoking: Stop smoking for as long as possible before your surgery. Smoking irritates the airways, making you more likely to cough or experience breathing issues when inhaling this medicine.
- Limit alcohol: Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your procedure, as it can interfere with how your body processes anesthetic medicines.
- Plan for recovery: Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for 24 hours after surgery, as your coordination and thinking may be slowed.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Anaesthesia: Anaesthesia is the use of medications called anaesthetics to prevent pain during surgery or other procedures. This causes a loss of sensation, feeling, and awareness.
FAQs
Desflurane is used for General anaesthesia.
Desflurane causes you to fall into a deep, painless sleep. It also helps maintain a deep, painless sleep.
Desflurane may cause a slight increase in blood sugar levels during anaesthesia. Inform the doctor if you have diabetes. Close monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised.
Desflurane may cause malignant hyperthermia, a severe reaction to certain drugs used for anaesthesia. Inform the doctor if you or any member of your family has experienced a rapid and significant rise in body temperature during an operation or soon after. Signs of malignant hyperthermia include a very high fever, muscle stiffness, fast heartbeat, and trouble breathing.
Yes, it is approved to keep children asleep (maintenance of anaesthesia) during surgery. However, it is generally not used to start the sleep process in children because it can irritate their airways and cause coughing. Talk to your doctor to understand the best options for your child.
You must tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had a severe reaction to anaesthesia, or if you have a history of liver disease, heart issues, or muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy. Talk to your doctor about your complete medical history.
Yes, nausea and vomiting are common side effects as you wake up from general anaesthesia, including after receiving Desflurane. Your medical team can provide medications before or after surgery to help prevent this. Talk to your doctor if you are prone to motion sickness or post-surgery nausea.
It is generally reserved for situations where the benefits of surgery outweigh the risks, as its effects on pregnancy are carefully considered by the medical team. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor before your scheduled surgery.
No, you should not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after waking up. The medicine can temporarily slow your reflexes, coordination, and judgment. Arrange for a trusted adult to take you home and assist you. Talk to your doctor about when it is safe to resume normal activities.
Malignant hyperthermia is a rare but life-threatening inherited reaction that causes a rapid rise in body temperature and severe muscle contractions when exposed to certain anesthetic gases like Desflurane. Your medical team is trained to recognize and treat this immediately if it occurs. Talk to your doctor if you have a family history of anaesthesia complications.
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