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Succinylcholine + Neostigmine
Succinylcholine causes depolarizing neuromuscular blockade while neostigmine reverses it by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, allowing acetylcholine to accumulate at the neuromuscular junction.
Succinylcholine causes depolarizing neuromuscular blockade while neostigmine reverses it by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, allowing acetylcholine to accumulate at the neuromuscular junction. Used for Reversal of depolarizing neuromuscular blockade induced by succinylcholine during general anesthesia.
At a glance
| Generic name | Succinylcholine + Neostigmine |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Brno University Hospital |
| Drug class | Neuromuscular blocking agent reversal combination |
| Target | Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor; acetylcholinesterase |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesiology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Succinylcholine is a depolarizing agent that binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, causing sustained depolarization and muscle paralysis. Neostigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine, thereby increasing acetylcholine concentration and competitively reversing the neuromuscular blockade induced by succinylcholine. This combination is used to manage the duration and reversal of succinylcholine-induced paralysis during anesthesia.
Approved indications
- Reversal of depolarizing neuromuscular blockade induced by succinylcholine during general anesthesia
Common side effects
- Muscle fasciculations
- Hyperkalemia
- Malignant hyperthermia (succinylcholine-related)
- Bradycardia
- Increased salivation
- Bronchospasm
Key clinical trials
- Avoiding Neuromuscular Blockers to Reduce Complications (PHASE4)
- Use of Neuromuscular Blocking Agents and Neuromuscular Monitoring in 7 Danish Teaching Hospitals
- Modern Myorelaxation Procedure and Reversal of Neuromuscular Blockade With General Anesthesia for Caesarean Section (PHASE4)
- Effectiveness of Sugammadex in LMS Surgery (PHASE4)
- Rocuronium + Sugammadex vs. Succinylcholine + Cisatracurium + Neostigmine/Atropine in Obese Participants (MK-8616-104) (PHASE4)
- Low Dose Mivacurium vs. Low Dose Succinylcholine for Rigid Bronchoscopy (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |