Suxamethonium chloride
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Chetan Lokhande, M.B.B.S [2]
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Black Box Warning
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Risk Of Cardiac Arrest From Hyperkalemic Rhabdomyolysis
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
* There have been rare reports of acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death after the administration of succinylcholine to apparently healthy children who were subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy, most frequently Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.
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Overview
Suxamethonium chloride is a skeletal muscle relaxant, neuromuscular blocking drug that is FDA approved for the {{{indicationType}}} of induction of neuromuscular blockade, adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation, rapid sequence intubation. There is a Black Box Warning for this drug as shown here. Common adverse reactions include ophthalmic: raised intraocular pressure.
Adult Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Adult)
Induction of neuromuscular blockade, Adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation
- Short procedures
- 0.6 mg/kg IV (range 0.3 to 1.1 mg/kg) over 10 to 30 seconds
- Long procedures
- 2.5 to 4.3 mg/min continuous IV infusion
- Long procedures
- 0.3 to 1.1 mg/kg IV initially followed by 0.04 to 0.07 mg/kg at appropriate intervals
- If suitable vein is inaccessible
- 3 to 4 mg/kg IM,; MAX 150 mg
- Rapid sequence intubation
- 1.5 mg/kg IV push
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Adult)
Guideline-Supported Use
- Electroconvulsive therapy; Adjunct
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Suxamethonium chloride in adult patients.
Pediatric Indications and Dosage
FDA-Labeled Indications and Dosage (Pediatric)
- Due to risk of cardiac arrest from hyperkalemic rhabdomyolysis, use in children should be reserved for emergency intubation or instances where immediate securing of the airway is necessary.
Induction of neuromuscular blockade, Adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation
- Emergency tracheal intubation, infants and small pediatric patients
- 2 mg/kg IV
- Emergency tracheal intubation, older pediatric patients and adolescents
- 1 mg/kg
- If suitable vein is inaccessible
- 3 to 4 mg/kg IM, MAX 150 mg
- Rapid sequence intubation: older children and adolescents
- 1 mg/kg IV
- Rapid sequence intubation: infants and small children
- 2 mg/kg IV
Off-Label Use and Dosage (Pediatric)
Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Guideline-Supported Use of Suxamethonium chloride in pediatric patients.
Non–Guideline-Supported Use
There is limited information regarding Off-Label Non–Guideline-Supported Use of Suxamethonium chloride in pediatric patients.
Contraindications
Succinylcholine is contraindicated in persons with personal or familial history of malignant hyperthermia, skeletal muscle myopathies, and known hypersensitivity to the drug. It is also contraindicated in patients after the acute phase of injury following major burns, multiple trauma, extensive denervation of skeletal muscle, or upper motor neuron injury, because succinylcholine administered to such individuals may result in severe hyperkalemia which may result in cardiac arrest (see WARNINGS). The risk of hyperkalemia in these patients increases over time and usually peaks at 7 to 10 days after the injury. The risk is dependent on the extent and location of the injury. The precise time of onset and the duration of the risk period are not known.
Warnings
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Risk Of Cardiac Arrest From Hyperkalemic Rhabdomyolysis
See full prescribing information for complete Boxed Warning.
* There have been rare reports of acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death after the administration of succinylcholine to apparently healthy children who were subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy, most frequently Duchenne's muscular dystrophy.
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SUCCINYLCHOLINE SHOULD BE USED ONLY BY THOSE SKILLED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION AND ONLY WHEN FACILITIES ARE INSTANTLY AVAILABLE FOR TRACHEAL INTUBATION AND FOR PROVIDING ADEQUATE VENTILATION OF THE PATIENT, INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF OXYGEN UNDER POSITIVE PRESSURE AND THE ELIMINATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE. THE CLINICIAN MUST BE PREPARED TO ASSIST OR CONTROL RESPIRATION.
TO AVOID DISTRESS TO THE PATIENT, SUCCINYLCHOLINE SHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED BEFORE UNCONSCIOUSNESS HAS BEEN INDUCED. IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS, HOWEVER, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO ADMINISTER SUCCINYLCHOLINE BEFORE UNCONSCIOUSNESS IS INDUCED.
SUCCINYLCHOLINE IS METABOLIZED BY PLASMA CHOLINESTERASE AND SHOULD BE USED WITH CAUTION, IF AT ALL, IN PATIENTS KNOWN TO BE OR SUSPECTED OF BEING HOMOZYGOUS FOR THE ATYPICAL PLASMA CHOLINESTERASE GENE.
Anaphylaxis
Severe anaphylactic reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents, including ANECTINE, have been reported. These reactions have in some cases been life-threatening and fatal. Due to the potential severity of these reactions, the necessary precautions, such as the immediate availability of appropriate emergency treatment, should be taken. Precautions should also be taken in those individuals who have had previous anaphylactic reactions to other neuromuscular blocking agents since cross-reactivity between neuromuscular blocking agents, both depolarizing and non-depolarizing, has been reported in this class of drugs.
Hyperkalemia
(SEE BOX WARNING.) Succinylcholine should be administered with GREAT CAUTION to patients suffering from electrolyte abnormalities and those who may have massive digitalis toxicity, because in these circumstances succinylcholine may induce serious cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest due to hyperkalemia.
GREAT CAUTION should be observed if succinylcholine is administered to patients during the acute phase of injury following major burns, multiple trauma, extensive denervation of skeletal muscle, or upper motor neuron injury (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). The risk of hyperkalemia in these patients increases over time and usually peaks at 7 to 10 days after the injury. The risk is dependent on the extent and location of the injury. The precise time of onset and the duration of the risk period are undetermined. Patients with chronic abdominal infection, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or conditions causing degeneration of central and peripheral nervous systems should receive succinylcholine with GREAT CAUTION because of the potential for developing severe hyperkalemia.
Malignant Hyperthermia
Succinylcholine administration has been associated with acute onset of malignant hyperthermia, a potentially fatal hypermetabolic state of skeletal muscle. The risk of developing malignant hyperthermia following succinylcholine administration increases with the concomitant administration of volatile anesthetics. Malignant hyperthermia frequently presents as intractable spasm of the jaw muscles (masseter spasm) which may progress to generalized rigidity, increased oxygen demand, tachycardia, tachypnea, and profound hyperpyrexia. Successful outcome depends on recognition of early signs, such as jaw muscle spasm, acidosis, or generalized rigidity to initial administration of succinylcholine for tracheal intubation, or failure of tachycardia to respond to deepening anesthesia. Skin mottling, rising temperature, and coagulopathies may occur later in the course of the hypermetabolic process. Recognition of the syndrome is a signal for discontinuance of anesthesia, attention to increased oxygen consumption, correction of acidosis, support of circulation, assurance of adequate urinary output, and institution of measures to control rising temperature. Intravenous dantrolene sodium is recommended as an adjunct to supportive measures in the management of this problem. Consult literature references and the dantrolene prescribing information for additional information about the management of malignant hyperthermic crisis. Continuous monitoring of temperature and expired CO2 is recommended as an aid to early recognition of malignant hyperthermia.
Other
In both adults and children, the incidence of bradycardia, which may progress to asystole, is higher following a second dose of succinylcholine. The incidence and severity of bradycardia is higher in children than in adults. Pretreatment with anticholinergic agents (e.g., atropine) may reduce the occurrence of bradyarrhythmias.
Succinylcholine causes an increase in intraocular pressure. It should not be used in instances in which an increase in intraocular pressure is undesirable (e.g., narrow angle glaucoma, penetrating eye injury) unless the potential benefit of its use outweighs the potential risk.
Succinylcholine is acidic (pH = 3.5) and should not be mixed with alkaline solutions having a pH greater than 8.5 (e.g., barbiturate solutions).
Adverse Reactions
Clinical Trials Experience
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Clinical Trials Experience in the drug label.
Postmarketing Experience
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Postmarketing Experience in the drug label.
Drug Interactions
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Drug Interactions in the drug label.
Use in Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category (FDA):
There is no FDA guidance on usage of Suxamethonium chloride in women who are pregnant.
Pregnancy Category (AUS):
There is no Australian Drug Evaluation Committee (ADEC) guidance on usage of Suxamethonium chloride in women who are pregnant.
Labor and Delivery
There is no FDA guidance on use of Suxamethonium chloride during labor and delivery.
Nursing Mothers
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride in women who are nursing.
Pediatric Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride in pediatric settings.
Geriatic Use
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride in geriatric settings.
Gender
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride with respect to specific gender populations.
Race
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride with respect to specific racial populations.
Renal Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride in patients with renal impairment.
Hepatic Impairment
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride in patients with hepatic impairment.
Females of Reproductive Potential and Males
There is no FDA guidance on the use of Suxamethonium chloride in women of reproductive potentials and males.
Immunocompromised Patients
There is no FDA guidance one the use of Suxamethonium chloride in patients who are immunocompromised.
Administration and Monitoring
Administration
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Administration in the drug label.
Monitoring
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Monitoring in the drug label.
IV Compatibility
There is limited information regarding the compatibility of Suxamethonium chloride and IV administrations.
Overdosage
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride overdosage. If you suspect drug poisoning or overdose, please contact the National Poison Help hotline (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
Pharmacology
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Pharmacology in the drug label.
Mechanism of Action
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Mechanism of Action in the drug label.
Structure
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Structure in the drug label.
Pharmacodynamics
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Pharmacodynamics in the drug label.
Pharmacokinetics
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Pharmacokinetics in the drug label.
Nonclinical Toxicology
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Nonclinical Toxicology in the drug label.
Clinical Studies
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Clinical Studies in the drug label.
How Supplied
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride How Supplied in the drug label.
Storage
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Storage in the drug label.
Images
Drug Images
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Package and Label Display Panel
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Patient Counseling Information
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Patient Counseling Information in the drug label.
Precautions with Alcohol
Alcohol-Suxamethonium chloride interaction has not been established. Talk to your doctor about the effects of taking alcohol with this medication.
Brand Names
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Brand Names in the drug label.
Look-Alike Drug Names
There is limited information regarding Suxamethonium chloride Look-Alike Drug Names in the drug label.
Drug Shortage Status
Price
References
The contents of this FDA label are provided by the National Library of Medicine.