Isoflurane inhibits enflurane metabolism in man

Halogenated inhalation anaesthetics interfere with each other's hepatic microsomal metabolism. The increase in plasma inorganic fluoride concentration, caused by the metabolism of a standardised dose of enflurane, was attenuated by isoflurane given either before or after the enflurane exposure. It is concluded that isoflurane inhibits the metabolism of enflurane in man, a fact that might be advantageous in certain clinical situations.