Suxamethonium - Benefits, dosage and side effects

2023 Author: Autumn Gilbert | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 07:39

Suxamethonium is a drug used to relax muscles during endotracheal intubation or surgical procedures

Suxamethonium is a fast-acting muscle relaxant that works by blocking nerve stimulation signals from the brain to the muscles. That way, the effect that will occur is paralysis or temporary paralysis. This medicine should only be given by a doctor in a hospital.

Suxamethonium trademark: -

What is Suxamethonium

Class	Prescription drugs
Categories	Neuromuscular blocking agent
Benefits	relax muscles
Used by	Adults and children
Suxamethonium for pregnant and lactating women	Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is not yet known whether suxamethonium can be absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medication without telling your doctor first.
Medicine form	Inject

Warning Before Using Suxamethonium

Before using this medicine, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• Do not use suxamethonium, if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
• Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, hyperkalemia, a spinal cord injury, a tendency to hyperthermia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, or congenital myotonia, which is a hereditary condition that causes muscles to relax after movement (stiffness).
• Tell your doctor if you have a pseudocholinesterase deficiency, which can be characterized by a history of paralysis or muscle weakness that persists after surgery.
• Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications, supplements, or herbal products.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
• Notify your doctor immediately if you have an allergic drug reaction or serious side effects after using suxamethonium.

Dosage and Instructions for Use of Suxamethonium

Suxamethonium will be given by injection into a vein (intravenous/IV) or into a muscle (intramuscular/IM) by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The following are common doses of suxamethonium:

Form of medicine: Intramuscular (IM) injection

• Adult: 3–4 mg/kgBB. Maximum dose 150 mg.
• Children aged <1 years: Dosage up to 5 mg/kgBB.
• Children aged 1 years: Dosage up to 4 mg/kgBB.

Medication form: Intravenous (IV) injection

• Adult: 0, 3–1, 1 mg/kgBB. Additional doses may be given at intervals of 5–10 minutes. Maximum dose 500 mg/hour.
• Children aged <1 years: 2 mg/kgBB.
• Children aged 1–12 years: 1 mg/kgBB.

How to Use Suxamethonium Correctly

Suxamethonium will be given directly by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. The drug will be injected into a vein (intravenous/IV) or into a muscle (intramuscular/IM) as recommended by the doctor.

This drug can only be used in hospitals. During the injection of suxamethonium, the doctor will monitor by monitoring the patient's oxygen levels and heart function.

Interaction of Suxamethonium with Other Drugs

The effects of drug interactions that can occur if suxamethonium is used with other drugs are:

• Prolonged duration of effect of suxamethonium when used with anticholinesterase, antiarrhythmic drugs, magnesium s alts, aminoglycosides, anesthetics, SSRI antidepressants, or organophosphate insecticides
• Increased risk of hyperkalemia when used with digitalis drugs, such as digoxin
• Decreased duration of the muscle-relaxing effect of suxamethonium when used with diazepam

Side Effects and Dangers of Suxamethonium

Some of the side effects that may occur after using suxamethonium are:

• Muscle pain
• High body temperature (hyperthermia)
• hypotension or hypertension
• Respiratory disorders
• heart rate fast or slow
• Discomfort or pain in the eye due to increased pressure in the eye

Consult a doctor if the above side effects do not subside or are getting worse. You should also see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic drug reaction after using suxamethonium.