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Succinylcholine

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Description

Succinylcholine is a muscle relaxant which helps in procedures like endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. It should only be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Close monitoring of lung function is necessary for patients who receive this medicine. It is very important that you inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine.
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Side effectsConcernsUsage

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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Succinylcholine

Muscle weakness

Difficulty in breathing

Irregular heartbeat

Excessive salivation

Increase in the potassium levels

Nausea and Vomiting

Uses of Succinylcholine

What is it prescribed for?

Anesthesia

Succinylcholine is used along with general anesthesia to reduce the pain during endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    The effect of this medicine can be observed within 30 to 60 seconds of intravenous administration and within 2 to 3 minutes of intramuscular administration of the dose.

  • Duration of effect

    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 4 to 6 minutes on an intravenous administration and 10 to 30 minutes on an intramuscular administration of the dose.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit-forming tendencies were reported

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Malignant hyperthermia

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of malignant hyperthermia (a sudden rise in the body temperature) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to succinylcholine or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.

Respiratory depression

This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with respiratory depression (slow or declined ability to breathe), in the absence of resuscitative equipment, due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.

General warnings

Histamine release

Succinylcholine should be used with caution in patients with allergies and asthma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Kidney impairment

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with kidney function impairment due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Liver impairment

This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with liver function impairment or active liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Electrolyte Imbalance

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with electrolyte imbalance due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of electrolytes levels is recommended during treatment with this medicine.

Anaphylactic reactions

This medicine may cause life-threatening or severe anaphylactic reactions in some patients. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Missed Dose

Since this medicine is administered before surgery by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.

Overdose

Since this medicine is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Amikacin

Furosemide

Amlodipine

Phenytoin

Disease interactions

Pulmonary impairment

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a history of pulmonary impairment due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and paralysis. Close monitoring of lung function is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
This medicine should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Inform the doctor if you have a known allergy to this medicine. Report to the doctor all your current medicines including herbs and supplements as well as all your medical conditions before receiving this medicine.

Miscelleneous

Usage does not depend on food timings

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Causes sleepiness

How it works

It works by relaxing the skeletal muscles and helps in procedures like endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation.

Legal Status

Approved

Unknown

Unknown

Approved

Classification

Category

Neuromuscular blocking agents

Schedule

Schedule H

TGA eBS - Product and Consumer Medicine Information Licence [Internet]. Ebs.tga.gov.au. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/ebs/picmi/picmirepository.nsf/pdf?OpenAgent&id=CP-2010-PI-04681-3&d=201812201016933

Suxamethonium Chloride 50mg/ml Solution for Injection (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5189/smpc

Succinylcholine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 13 May 2019]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00202

[Internet]. Accessdata.fda.gov. 2018 [cited 20 December 2018]. Available from:

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/008453s027lbl.pdf
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Information on this page was last updated on 13 May 2019

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.