CLINICAL USE

Depolarising muscle relaxant used in short procedures and ECT

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

IV injection: 0.5–1 mg/kg

IV infusion

: 2.5–4 mg/minute; maximum 500 mg/hour

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight                           :397.3
  • %Protein binding                           :70
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine     :
  • <10           :
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg)       :No data
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)      :2–3 minutes/–

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • 10 to 20     : Dose as in normal renal function
  • <10           : Dose as in normal renal function. Use with caution.

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD                :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HD                     :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HDF/high flux   :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • CAV/VVHD      :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in normal renal function

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs

  • Anaesthetics: increased risk of myocardial depression and bradycardia with propofol; enhanced effect with volatile liquid general anaesthetics
  • Anti-arrhythmics: lidocaine and procainamide enhance muscle relaxant effect
  • Antibacterials: effect enhanced by aminoglycosides, clindamycin, polymyxins, vancomycin and piperacillinCardiac glycosides: increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias with digoxin

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Route

    IV

    Rate of Administration

    Over 10–30 seconds Infusion: 2.5–4 mg/minute, maximum 500 mg/hour

    Comments

    For continuous infusion add 10 mL to 500 mL glucose 5% or sodium chloride 0.9% = 0.1% solution

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Suxamethonium is predominantly excreted in the urine as active and inactive metabolites. Patients on dialysis may require a dose at the lower end of the range due to reduced plasma cholinesterase activityUse with caution in hyperkalaemia as potassium is released from depolarised muscleHyperkalaemia may occur when suxamethonium is used in CKD 5

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