Succinylcholine (Anectine)

Question 1

Description

Answer 1

Nicotinic NMJ blocker (depolarizing), neuromuscular blockers, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist

Question 2

Actions

Answer 2

Production of complete skeletal muscle relaxation, flaccid paralysis, initial stimulation of nicotinic receptors is not terminated and the motor endplate depolarizes, which causes flaccid skeletal muscle paralysis, is not broken down by acetylcholinesterases

Question 3

Indications

Answer 3

Short term muscle relaxation in anesthesia and intensive care, intubation

Question 4

Toxicity

Answer 4

BLACK BOX: Rare acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dyshrthmias, cardiac arrest, and death after admin. to apparently healthy children subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy, most frequently Duchene muscular dystrophy

Question 5

Other Facts

Answer 5

IV, short acting, only NMJ depolarizing blocker in clinical use, do NOT give to patients lacking (ChE) [causes prolonged paralysis] – no reversal agent