Desflurane and Acetaminophen And Codeine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jun 30, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Acetaminophen And Codeine
Desflurane
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
You take acetaminophen with codeine, which is a pain medicine that contains an opioid. Desflurane is a gas used to keep you asleep during surgery. When these are used together, your body needs less of the anesthesia gas to reach the right depth of sleep. In other words, the opioid adds to the anesthesia effect.
The good news is this is something your anesthesia team expects and manages every day. They will simply use the right amount of gas for you and watch you closely during surgery. Just make sure they know you take codeine so they can plan ahead.
Effect: Concomitant opioid (codeine, an mu-agonist analgesic) reduces the MAC of desflurane, an additive PD interaction rather than a PK one. The opioid lowers the anesthetic requirement needed to achieve adequate depth.
- Direction: Reduced desflurane requirement (increased combined CNS depression).
- Onset: Unspecified; relevant intraoperatively.
- Evidence: Probable; mechanism formally listed as unknown but consistent with well-recognized opioid MAC-sparing.
- Management: Titrate desflurane to effect using standard anesthetic depth monitoring (hemodynamics, processed EEG where available). Anticipate additive respiratory and CNS depression.
Dose should be individualized by the anesthesia team.
What happens
Reduced desflurane (MAC) exposure needed to produce anesthesia
Interaction Deep Dive
Concomitant use of desflurane and opioids may reduce the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane. Adjust the dose accordingly1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
How to manage this interaction
This interaction is routinely handled by your anesthesia team during surgery.
- Keep taking your medications as prescribed and do not stop anything on your own.
- Tell your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and pharmacist that you take acetaminophen with codeine before any procedure.
- The amount of desflurane may need to be adjusted and individualized by your care team, and they may monitor you more closely during and after surgery.
If you have questions about combining these, ask your pharmacist or prescriber.
Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) When desflurane is given together with IV fentaNYL, the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of desflurane is lowered by 2.3% to 6.4% 1.
Common questions
Can I take Desflurane and Acetaminophen And Codeine together?
Codeine lowers the amount of desflurane anesthesia your body needs, so your anesthesia team will simply use less gas and monitor you closely. Just make sure they know you take acetaminophen with codeine. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Desflurane and Acetaminophen And Codeine interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How is the Desflurane and Acetaminophen And Codeine interaction managed?
This interaction is routinely handled by your anesthesia team during surgery. Keep taking your medications as prescribed and do not stop anything on your own. Tell your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and pharmacist that you take acetaminophen with codeine before any procedure. The amount of desflurane may need to be adjusted and individualized by your care team, and they may monitor you more closely d… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Desflurane or Acetaminophen And Codeine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- Product Information: SUPRANE inhalation liquid, desflurane inhalation liquid. Baxter Healthcare Corporation (per FDA), Deerfield, IL, 2022. DailyMed
Keep reading about Acetaminophen And Codeine
Keep reading about Desflurane
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