Neuromuscular blocking agents

Background

• Non-depolarizing
  • Competitively block binding of ACh to its receptors
• Depolarizing
  • Depolarizing skeletal muscle fiber
  • Persistent depolarization makes the muscle fiber resistant to further stimulation by ACh

Types

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Agent	Time to onset (seconds)	Duration (minutes)	Side effects
Depolarizing
Succinylcholine			fasciculations, post-operative pain
Non-Depolarizing
Vecuronium (Norcuron)	60	30–40	Few, may cause prolonged paralysis and promote muscarinic block
Rocuronium (Zemuron)	75	45–70	may promote muscarinic block
Pancuronium (Pavulon)	90	180 or more	tachycardia (slight) (no hypotension)

See Also

• Reversal agent: Sugammadex