Last reviewed 2026-05-20 · How we verify

SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE

SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE is a drug. It is currently FDA-approved (first approved 1952).

Succinylcholine binds to cholinergic receptors, causing initial muscle fasciculations followed by flaccid paralysis.

Succinylcholine chloride is a small molecule agonist that targets the muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. It is used in medical settings for conditions such as anesthesia, hemodynamics instability, post-operative pain, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and cholecystitis, often as part of rapid sequence induction or modified time principle induction.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

Succinylcholine acts by binding to the cholinergic receptors on the motor end plate, similar to acetylcholine, leading to muscle depolarization and fasciculations. Once bound, it inhibits further neuromuscular transmission, resulting in rapid onset of flaccid paralysis that typically lasts 4 to 6 minutes.

Approved indications

No approved indications tracked.

Boxed warnings

• BOXED WARNING WARNING: VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIAS, CARDIAC ARREST, AND DEATH FROM HYPERKALEMIC RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS Acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death has occurred after the administration of succinylcholine to apparently healthy pediatric patients who were subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy, most frequently Duchenne muscular dystrophy [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. When a healthy appearing pediatric patient develops cardiac arrest within minutes after administration of succinylcholine chloride, not felt to be due to inadequate ventilation, oxygenation or anesthetic overdose, immediate treatment for hyperkalemia should be instituted. In the presence of signs of malignant hyperthermia, appropriate treatment should be instituted concurrently [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . Reserve the use of succinylcholine chloride in pediatric patients for emergency intubation or instances where immediate securing of the airway is necessary, e.g., laryngospasm, difficult airway, full stomach, or for intramuscular use when a suitable vein is inaccessible [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . WARNING: VENTRICULAR DYSRHYTHMIAS, CARDIAC ARREST, AND DEATH FROM HYPERKALEMIC RHABDOMYOLYSIS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning . Acute rhabdomyolysis with hyperkalemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and death has occurred after use in apparently healthy pediatric patients who were subsequently found to have undiagnosed skeletal muscle myopathy. ( 5.1 ) When a healthy-appearing pediatric patient develops cardiac arrest soon after administration of succinylcholine chloride, not felt to be due to other causes, immediate treatment for hyperkalemia should be instituted. In the presence of signs of malignant hyperthermia, appropriate treatment should be instituted concurrently. ( 5.1 ) Reserve use of succinylcholine chloride in pediatric patients for emergency intubation or instances where immediate securing of the airway is necessary, or for intramuscular use when a suitable vein is inaccessible. ( 5.1 )

Common side effects

• Respiratory depression
• Apnea
• Cardiac arrest
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Arrhythmias
• Bradycardia
• Tachycardia
• Hypertension
• Hypotension
• Hyperkalemia
• Prolonged respiratory depression or apnea
• Increased intraocular pressure

Key clinical trials

• Which Rapid Sequence Induction Technique Should be Used in Urgent Surgery in Children? (NA)
• Subanesthetic Esketamine in Modified ECT for Severe Depression in Adolescents: Clinical and Mechanistic Study (EARLY_PHASE1)
• Two Video Laryngoscopes (Laringocel® and C-MAC®) for First-Attempt Intubation in Adults Undergoing Elective Surgery (NA)
• SEdation Versus General Anesthesia for Endovascular Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke (PHASE4)
• Anesthesia Management in Endovascular Therapy for Ischemic Stroke - 2 (NA)
• Optimisation Strategy for Emergency Tracheal Intubation (NA)
• Standardised Drug Provocation Testing in Perioperative Hypersensitivity (NA)
• Clonidine to Prevent Delirium After Electroconvulsive Therapy. (PHASE4)

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:

• SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE CI brief — competitive landscape report
• SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE updates RSS · CI watch RSS

Frequently asked questions about SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE

Related

• Target: All drugs targeting cholinergic receptors

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing