Last reviewed 2026-05-14 · How we verify

Tracrium Preservative Free (Atracurium Besylate)

Tracrium Preservative Free (generic name: Atracurium Besylate) is a Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent Small molecule drug developed by Pfizer Inc.. It is currently FDA-approved (first approved 1983) for General anesthesia, Muscle relaxation, function, Skeletal Muscle Relaxation for Endotracheal Intubation.

Nondepolarizing skeletal muscle relaxant that competitively antagonizes acetylcholine at motor end-plate cholinergic receptors.

Atracurium besylate is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent indicated as an adjunct to general anesthesia for endotracheal intubation and skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation. It competitively antagonizes acetylcholine at motor end-plate receptors with onset of maximum block within 3-5 minutes and recovery beginning 20-35 minutes after injection. Primary risks include enhanced blockade with inhalation anesthetics, certain antibiotics, and other drugs, requiring careful monitoring and dose adjustment. The drug is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to atracurium or benzyl alcohol preservative.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Atracurium besylate antagonizes the neuromuscular action of acetylcholine by binding competitively with cholinergic receptor sites on the motor end-plate. This antagonism is inhibited and neuromuscular block reversed by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as neostigmine, edrophonium, and pyridostigmine. The duration of neuromuscular block produced by atracurium is approximately one-third to one-half the duration of block by d-tubocurarine, metocurine, and pancuronium at initially equipotent doses.

Approved indications

• General anesthesia
• Muscle relaxation, function
• Skeletal Muscle Relaxation for Endotracheal Intubation

Common side effects

• Skin Flush
• Mean Arterial Pressure Increase
• Heart Rate Increase
• Mean Arterial Pressure Decrease
• Erythema
• Heart Rate Decrease
• Itching
• Wheezing/Bronchial Secretions
• Hives

Serious adverse events

• Allergic reactions (anaphylactic or anaphylactoid responses)
• Cardiac arrest
• Inadequate block
• Prolonged block
• Hypotension
• Vasodilatation (flushing)
• Tachycardia
• Bradycardia
• Dyspnea
• Bronchospasm

Drug interactions

• Enflurane
• Isoflurane
• Halothane
• Aminoglycoside antibiotics
• Polymyxin antibiotics
• Lithium
• Magnesium salts
• Procainamide
• Quinidine
• Succinylcholine

Primary sources

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Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Tracrium Preservative Free CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Tracrium Preservative Free updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Pfizer Inc. portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Tracrium Preservative Free

Related

• Drug class: All Nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent drugs
• Target: All drugs targeting Cholinergic receptor sites on motor end-plate
• Manufacturer: Pfizer Inc. — full pipeline
• Indication: Drugs for General anesthesia
• Indication: Drugs for Muscle relaxation, function
• Indication: Drugs for Skeletal Muscle Relaxation for Endotracheal Intubation
• Compare: Tracrium Preservative Free vs similar drugs
• Pricing: Tracrium Preservative Free cost, discount & access