Atracurium
Description
Atracurium is a muscle relaxant. It is used along with general anaesthesia (a state of controlled unconsciousness) to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation (breathing machine).
Atracurium is available as an injection form; hence should be administered only by a qualified healthcare professional.
Atracurium may cause side effects like low blood pressure, rapid or slowed heart rate, and muscle weakness. Inform your doctor if the side effects become severe.
Atracurium is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you are taking other medicines, or if you have any medical condition like heart or liver problems.
Atracurium is not recommended for use in children less than one month of age. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Atracurium
- Irregular heart beat
- Swelling and redness at the injection site
- Difficulty in breathing
- Wheezing
- Decreased blood pressure
- Flushing or redness of skin
Uses of Atracurium
What is it prescribed for?
- General Anesthesia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Atracurium can be observed within two to three minutes of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Atracurium lasts for an average duration of 20 to 35 minutes.
- 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 for Atracurium.
- Usage in pregnancy?Atracurium is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Atracurium is not recommended for use in nursing mothers. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid using Atracurium if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Respiratory depression
Respiratory depression or hypoventilation is a breathing disorder that occurs when there is not enough gas exchange between the lungs and the atmosphere, thus causing slow and ineffective breathing. Atracurium is not recommended for use if you have respiratory depression as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Atracurium is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Atracurium is not recommended for use in nursing mothers. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before using this medicine.
General warnings
Histamine release
Histamine is a natural hormone that your immune system produces in response to allergens to protect your body from these factors. Atracurium may cause the release of histamine, which can cause wheezing (whistling sound made while breathing), tightness of the airways, low blood pressure and increased heart rate.
Paresis
Paresis is a condition where the muscles movement has become weakened and difficult to move voluntarily. If you have paresis, your doctor may use a higher dose of Atracurium for an optimal effect.
Burns
If you have burns, muscle trauma, etc you may develop resistance (reduction in the effectiveness of medication ) to Atracurium. Your doctor may use a higher dose of this medicine for an optimal effect.
Missed Dose
Since Atracurium is administered before surgery by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Since Atracurium 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
Tobramycin
Gentamicin
Disease interactions
Pulmonary impairment
Pulmonary impairment is a condition that affects your lungs and other parts of the respiratory system. Atracurium should be used with caution if you have pulmonary impairment due to the increased risk of respiratory depression and paralysis (loss of muscle function). Your doctor will monitor your lung function during treatment with this medicine.
Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the weakening of muscles and fatigue (tiredness). Atracurium should be used with caution if you have myasthenia gravis as this medicine can worsen their condition by aggravating their symptoms.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Atracurium should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Inform your doctor if you have an 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
How it works
Atracurium relaxes muscles during surgery or mechanical ventilation by blocking nerve impulses to the muscles, making them unable to move. Its effects can be reversed after the procedure is completed using specific medications.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Neuromuscular blocking agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 17 November 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. [online] Available at: [Accessed 17 November 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 21 Mar 2023
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.