Vecuronium Pharmacology

Vecuronium

About Vecuronium
Antinicotinic, Non-depolarizing blocking agent, Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxant.
Mechanism of Action of Vecuronium
This nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents inhibit neuromuscular transmission by competing with acetylcholine for the cholinergic receptors of the motor end plate, thereby reducing the response of the end plate to acetylcholine. This results the skeletal muscle relaxation.
General anaesthesia: It is often administered during the induction of anaesthesia to relax muscles of the jaw, neck and airway and thereby facilitate laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation. Following induction, continued muscle relaxation is required for many procedures to aid surgical exposure and to provide additional insurance of immobility.
Pharmacokinets of Vecuronium
Distribution- Widely distributed in the extracellular fluid and rapidly reaches to the sites of action. 60%-90% bound to the plasma proteins.
Metabolism- It is metabolized in liver by deacetylation to the active metabolites 3-hydroxy vecuronium,17-hydroxy- vecuronium and 3, 17-dihydroxyvecuronium.
Excretion- It is excreted both in the bile and urine.
Onset of Action for Vecuronium
2.5 - 3 min
Duration of Action for Vecuronium
25 - 40 min
Half Life of Vecuronium
N/A
Side Effects of Vecuronium
1. Transient fall in blood pressure
2. Increase in heart rate
3. Reduction in Gl motility
4. Bronchospasm
5. Anaphylactic reaction
Contra-indications of Vecuronium
1. Hypersensitivity to the drug.
Special Precautions while taking Vecuronium
1. Hepatic impairment
2. Renal impairment
3. Severe obesity
4. Malignant hyperthermia
5. Bronchogenic carcinoma
6. Edematous states
7. Electrolyte disturbances
8. Neuromuscular diseases
Pregnancy Related Information
Contraindicated
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Contraindicated
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Vecuronium
1. Adjunct to general anaesthesia to facilitate endotracheal intubation.
2. Skeletal muscle relaxation
Interactions for Vecuronium
Incompatibility with alkaline solution (barbiturates such as thiopentone sodium).
Inhalational anaesthetics: Halothane, isoflurance may enhance effect.
Antiarrhythmic: Lignocaine, quinidine and verapamil may enhanced effect.
Antibacterials: Aminoglycosides, lincosamide, polymyxins & rarely tetracyclines may enhance effect.
Anticholinestrases: Neostigmine may enhance effect.
Antiepileptics: Carbamazepine, and phenytoin may reduce effect.
Ganglion blockers: May enhance effect.
Xanthines: Aminophylline & Theophylline may antagonise the effect.
Typical Dosage for Vecuronium
Adults-
Intubation- 0.8mg/kg
Surgical procedures after intubation with succinylcholine- 0.03 to 0.05mg/kg body wt. Maintenance dose- 0.02 to 0.03mg per kg.
Schedule of Vecuronium
H
Storage Requirements for Vecuronium
Store at controlled room temperature. Keep away from light and heat.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Vecuronium
The doctor should be informed immediately if a dose is missed.
Effects of Overdose of Vecuronium
Give symptomatic and supportive treatment. Administer an anticholinesterase agent such as edrophomium, neostigmine, or pyridostigmine to reverse the neuromuscular blockage and atropine for the reversal of Muscarinic actions.

Home Delivery for Vecuronium in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including vecuronium.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for vecuronium and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for vecuronium may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take vecuronium only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for vecuronium before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for vecuronium with the pharmacy.

Vecuronium is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for vecuronium might be better known than vecuronium itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have vecuronium in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for vecuronium.