Details

Atracurium is used to relax muscles during surgery along with general anaesthesia. It is also used in intensive care to facilitate tracheal intubation (tube into the windpipe), and controlled ventilation.

Typical Uses

Atracurium is a neuromuscular blocking agent, used as an adjunct to general anaesthesia. It provides muscle relaxation during surgery. Atracurium should not be used in premature infants and patients with known hypersensitivity.

Side Effects

Atracurium has a few side effects including flushing of the face and upper body, skin rashes, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, difficulty breathing.

Drug Interactions

• Atracurium+abobotulinumtoxinA- Talk to your doctor before using abobotulinumtoxinA together with atracurium. Combining these medications may increase the risk of certain side effects such as excessive muscle weakness, paralysis, and difficulty breathing, swallowing, or speaking.

• Atracurium+amikacin- Ask your doctor before using amikacin together with atracurium. This combination can increase the blood levels or add to the adverse effects of atracurium. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together.

• Atracurium+gentamicin- Ask your doctor before using gentamicin together with atracurium. This combination can increase the blood levels or add to the adverse effects of atracurium. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together.

• Atracurium+kanamycin- Ask your doctor before using kanamycin together with atracurium. This combination can increase the blood levels or add to the adverse effects of atracurium. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together.

• Atracurium+neomycin- Ask your doctor before using neomycin together with atracurium. This combination can increase the blood levels or add to the adverse effects of atracurium. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together.

• Atracurium+paromomycin- Ask your doctor before using paromomycin together with atracurium. This combination can increase the blood levels or add to the adverse effects of atracurium. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together.

• Atracurium+tobramycin- Ask your doctor before using tobramycin together with atracurium. This combination can increase the blood levels or add to the adverse effects of atracurium. Talk with your doctor before using these medications together.

Mechanism of action

Atracurium antagonizes the neurotransmitter 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.

Pregnancy Category : B