General Anesthetics

Also indexed as: Amidate®, Desflurane, Dipravin®, Droperidol, Enflurane, Entomidate, Ethrane®, Forane®, Halothane, Inapsine®, Isoflurane, Ketalar®, Ketamine, Methoxyflurane, Penthrane®, Propofol, Sevoflurane, Suprane®, Ultane®

General anesthetics are used to produce unconsciousness during surgery. Unlike local anesthetics that are used in dentistry and minor surgery, general anesthetics circulate throughout the body, which results in a stronger action on the nervous system and a greater potential for side effects. Medications used as general anesthetics come from many different drug classifications, including barbiturates and benzodiazepines.

The interactions described below pertain to anesthetics in general. For specific interactions, refer to the individual drugs.

  • Desflurane (Suprane®)
  • Droperidol (Inapsine®)
  • Enflurane (Ethrane®)
  • Etomidate (Amidate®)
  • Halothane
  • Isoflurane (Forane®)
  • Ketamine (Ketalar®)
  • Methohexital (Brevital®)
  • Methoxyflurane (Penthrane®)
  • Midazolam (Versed®)
  • Nitrous oxide
  • Propofol (Diprivan®)
  • Sevoflurane (Ultane®)
  • Thiopental (Pentothal®)

Safetychecker Summary for General Anesthetics
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)

Beneficial May be Beneficial: Side effect reduction/prevention—Taking these supplements may help reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the medication.

Ginger*

Milk thistle

Catechin*
Depletion or interference

None known
Supportive interaction

None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability

None known
Adverse interaction

None known
Interactions common to many, if not all, General Anesthetics are described in this article. Interactions reported for only one or several drugs in this class may not be listed in this article. Some drugs listed in this article are linked to articles specific to that respective drug; please refer to those individual drug articles. The information in this article may not necessarily apply to drugs in this class for which no separate article exists. If you are taking a General Anesthetic for which no separate article exists, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Catechin
Some general anesthetic drugs have infrequently caused liver damage. One animal study showed that taking catechin (a bioflavonoid) prior to halothane exposure reduced the amount of liver damage caused by the drug.1 Additional research is needed to determine whether this protective effect occurs in humans and with other general anesthetics.

Interactions with Herbs

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
General anesthetics commonly cause nausea upon waking. In a double-blind study, taking 1 gram of ginger one hour before surgery was as effective at reducing nausea and vomiting as the anti-nausea drug metoclopramide.2 Individuals taking ginger in order to avoid side effects should disclose this to their doctor prior to surgery, since the herb might affect blood clotting.

Milk thistle  (Silybum marianum)
Some general anesthetic drugs have infrequently caused liver damage. One animal study showed that taking silybine, an active compound found in milk thistle, prior to halothane exposure reduced the amount of liver damage caused by the drug.3 Though controlled research in humans is necessary, some doctors of natural medicine currently suggest taking milk thistle standardized to contain 140 mg of silymarin three times a day, beginning a week before surgery and continuing for at least one week after surgery.

References:

1. Siegers CP, Fruhling A, Younes M. Influence of dithiocarb, (+)-catechin and silybine on halothane hepatotoxicity in the hypoxic rat model. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh) 1983;53:125–9.

2. Phillips S, Ruggier R, Hutchinson SE. Zingiber officinale (ginger)—an antiemetic for day case surgery. Anaesthesia 1993;48:715–7.

3. Siegers CP, Fruhling A, Younes M. Influence of dithiocarb, (+)-catechin and silybine on halothane hepatotoxicity in the hypoxic rat model. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh) 1983;53:125–9.