Lackof preparedness or inability to intubate the trachea and ventilate thepatient after total paralysis ensues. Proper equipment and trainedpersonnel must be assembled before the drug is given.

Knownhistory of malignant hyperthermia. Succinylcholine use is associatedwith malignant hyperthermia in susceptible patients (incidence,approximately 1 in 50,000 in adults and 1 in 10,000 in children).

Knownhypersensitivity or anaphylactic reaction (non-dose-related) to agentor preservative (eg, benzyl alcohol). Succinylcholine is implicatedmost commonly, but anaphylaxis has been reported with rocuronium,atracurium, mivacurium, and cisatracurium.

Known history of or at high risk for succinylcholine-induced hyperkalemia. (See IV.D. below.)

Drug Adverse Effects ::

IV. Adverse effects

Complete paralysis results in respiratory depression and apnea.

Succinylcholinecan stimulate vagal nerves, resulting in sinus bradycardia and AVblock. Children are particularly sensitive to vagotonic effects (canprevent with atropine).

Musclefasciculations may cause increased intraocular and intragastricpressure (the latter may result in emesis and aspiration of gastriccontents). Rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuria may be observed, especiallyin children.

Succinylcholinemay produce hyperkalemia in patients with neuropathy, myopathy, recentsevere burns, or head and spinal cord injury (this risk is maximal afew months after the injury). There is one case report of a patientwith wound botulism. The mechanism is increased extrajunctional muscleacetylcholine receptors and may also occur with prolonged use ofnondepolarizing agents.

E. Clinicallysignificant histamine release with bronchospasm may occur, especiallywith succinylcholine, mivacurium, and rapacuronium (which was withdrawnfrom the market). It is more common with smokers and patients withreversible airway disease.

F. Neuromuscularblockade is potentiated by hypokalemia and hypocalcemia(nondepolarizing agents) and by hypermagnesemia (depolarizing andnondepolarizing agents).

G. Prolonged effects may occur after succinylcholine use in patients with genetic deficiency of plasma cholinesterase.

H. Prolongedeffects may occur in patients with neuromuscular disease (eg,myasthenia gravis, Eaton-Lambert syndrome) or resistance (eg,myasthenia gravis and succinylcholine).

Tachycardia caused by vagal block and sympathomimetic effects from pancuronium and high-dose rocuronium.

J. Neuropathies, myopathies, and persistent muscular weakness associated with prolonged use owing to chemical denervation.

K. Use in pregnancy. FDA category C (indeterminate). This does not preclude their acute, short-term use in a seriously ill patient (see Table III–1).

Drug Lab Interactions ::

Drug or laboratory interactions

Actionsof the nondepolarizing agents are potentiated by ether, methoxyflurane,and enflurane and are inhibited or reversed by anticholinesteraseagents (eg, neostigmine, physostigmine, and carbamate andorganophosphate insecticides).

Organophosphateor carbamate (see Organophosphorus and Carbamate Insecticides)insecticide intoxication may potentiate or prolong the effect ofsuccinylcholine.

Numerousdrugs may potentiate neuromuscular blockade. These drugs includecalcium antagonists, dantrolene, aminoglycoside antibiotics,propranolol, membrane-stabilizing drugs (eg, quinidine), magnesium,lithium, and thiazide diuretics.

Anticonvulsants(carbamazepine and phenytoin) and theophylline may delay the onset andshorten the duration of action of some nondepolarizing agents.Carbamazepine has additive effects, and reduction of the neuromuscularblocker dose may be required.

E. Dysrhythmias are possible with myocardial sensitizers (eg, halothane) and sympathetic stimulating agents (eg, pancuronium).

Drug Dose Management ::

Dosage and method of administration (see Table III–11)

Drug Chemical Formulations ::

Formulations

Succinylcholine chloride (Anectine®and others), 20 and 50 mg/mL; 10-mL vials (with parabens and benzylalcohol) and ampules; 100 mg in 5-mL syringe; 500 mg and 1 g (powderfor infusion). The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is two vials of each concentration.

Atracurium besylate (Tracrium), 10 mg/mL in 5-mL single-dose and 10-mL multidose vials (with benzyl alcohol). The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is four 10-mL vials.

Cisatracurium besylate (Nimbex), 2 mg/mL in 5- and 10-mL vials; 10 mg/mL in 20-mL vials (with benzyl alcohol). The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is one 20-mL vial or the equivalent.

Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon, others), 1 and 2 mg/mL in 2-, 5-, and 10-mL vials, ampules (some with benzyl alcohol), and syringes. The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is eight vials (2 mg/mL, 5 mL each).

E. Rocuronium bromide (Zemuron), 10 mg/mL in 5- and 10-mL vials. The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is seven vials.

F. Vecuronium bromide(Norcuron, others), 10-mg and 20-mg vials of lyophilized powder forreconstitution (Norcuron contains mannitol, and diluent may containbenzyl alcohol). The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is three vials.

G. Doxacurium chloride (Nuromax), 1 mg/mL in 5-mL vials (with benzyl alcohol). The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is three vials.

H. Pipecuronium bromide (Arduan) 10 mg in 10-mL vials (powder for injection). The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is two vials.

Mivacurium chloride (Mivacron) 0.5 mg/mL and 2 mg/mL in 5- and 10-mL single-use vials. The suggested minimum stocking level to treat a 70-kg adult for the first 24 hours is four 10-mL vials or the equivalent.

Table III–11. Selected Neuromuscular Blockers

Drug Onset Durationa Dose (all are intravenous) Depolarizing      Succinylcholine0.5–1 min2–3 min0.6 mg/kgb (children: 1 mg/kgc) over 10–20 seconds; repeat as needed. 
 Nondepolarizing      Atracurium3–5 min20–45 min0.4–0.5 mg/kg (children < 2 years: 0.3–0.4 mg/kg).  Cisatracurium1.5–2 min55–61 min0.15–0.2 mg/kg (children 2–12 years: 0.1 mg/kg), then 1–3 mcg/kg/min to maintain blockade.  Pancuronium2–3 min35–45 min0.06–0.1 mg/kg; then 0.01–0.02 mg/kg every 20–40 min as needed to maintain blockade.  Rocuronium0.5–3 min22–94 min0.6–1 mg/kg; then 0.01 mg/kg/min to maintain blockade.  Vecuronium1–2 min25–40 minFor children > 1 year and adults: 0.08–0.1 mg/kg bolus, then 0.01–0.02 mg/kg every 10–20 min to maintain blockade.  Doxacurium5–7 min56–160 min0.05–0.08mg/kg (children 0.03–0.05 mg/kg), then 0.005–0.01 mg/kg every 30–45 minto maintain blockade (children may require more frequent dosing).  Pipecuronium3–5 min17–175 min0.05–0.1mg/kg (adjust for renal function); then 0.01–0.015 mg/kg every 17–175min (children may be less sensitive and require more frequent dosing).  Mivacurium2–4 min13–23 min0.15–0.25mg/kg (children 0.2 mg/kg), then 0.1 mg/kg every 15 min, or bycontinuous infusion and start with 0.01 mg/kg/min and maintain withaverage adult dose of 0.006–0.007 mg/kg/min (children 0.014 mg/kg/min).

aFormost agents, onset and duration are dose- and age-dependent. Withsuccinylcholine or mivacurium, effects may be prolonged in patients whohave genetic plasma cholinesterase deficiency or organophosphateintoxication.

bToprevent fasciculations, administer a small dose of a nondepolarizingagent (eg, pancuronium, 0.01 mg/kg) 2–3 min before the succinylcholine.

cPretreat children with atropine at 0.005–0.01 mg/kg to prevent bradycardia or atrioventricular block.

Disclaimer ::

The Information available on this site is for only Informational Purpose , before any use of this information please consult your Doctor .Price of the drugs indicated above may not match to real price due to many possible reasons may , including local taxes etc.. These are only approximate indicative prices of the drug.