Atracurium Pharmacology

Atracurium

About Atracurium
Nondepolarizing Neuromuscular Blocker Agent, Peripherally acting Skeletal muscle relaxant, adjunct to general anesthesia.
Mechanism of Action of Atracurium
This neuromuscular blocking agent antagonizes the neurotransmitter action of acetylcholine by binding competitively with cholinergic receptor sites on the motor end-plate and blocks the transmission through it. This results the depolarization which leads to desensitization and reduce the skeletal muscle tone. It can also release the histamine in the body.
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 Atracurium
Absorption- Rapidly and completely absorbed after intravenous administration
Distribution- Widely distributed into the extra cellular space. 82% bound to the plasma proteins
Metabolism- Metabolized in plasma by Hoffman degradation and ester hydrolysis
Excretion- Excreted through urine and feces
Onset of Action for Atracurium
2 minutes after administration
Duration of Action for Atracurium
35 to 70 minutes
Half Life of Atracurium
Its plasma half life is 17-21 minutes
Side Effects of Atracurium
1. Allergic reactions.
2. Inadequate or prolonged block.
3. Hypotension vasodilatation.
4. Bradycardia.
5. Tachycardia.
6. Dyspnoea.
7. Broncho-laryngospasm.
8. Rash.
9. Urticaria.
10. Reaction at the injection site.
Contra-indications of Atracurium
Contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to it
Special Precautions while taking Atracurium
1. Cardiovascular disease.
2. Asthma.
3. Electrolyte imbalance.
4. Myasthenia gravis.
5. Long term infusion.
Pregnancy Related Information
Use with caution
Old Age Related Information
Use with caution
Breast Feeding Related Information
Use with caution
Children Related Information
Use with caution
Indications for Atracurium
As an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal Intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation
Interactions for Atracurium
Thiazide diuretics: Cause hypokalaemia which enhances the neuromuscular blockade.
Enflurane, Isoflurane, Halothane, Aminoglycosides, Polypeptide antibiotics (bacitracin, capreomycin, colistimethate, polymyxin B) Clindamycin, Linomycin, Lithium, Verapamil, Trimethaphan, Procainamide & Quinidine: Enhance the neuromuscular blockade.
Magnesium Salts: Reversal of neuromuscular blockade unsatisfactory therefore dose of Atracurium besylate should be lowered.
Other muscular relaxants: May have both synergistic and antagonist effect.
Phenytoin & Theophylline: Resistance to or reversal of neuromuscular blockade of atracurium.
Succinylcholine: Enhances atracurium induced neuromuscular blockade.
Typical Dosage for Atracurium
Intravenous-
Adult-
For muscle relaxation in surgical anesthesia-
Induction - 0.3-0.6 mg/kg body wt. i.v
Maintenance - 0.1-0.2 mg body wt. /hour by continuous i.v. infusion.
Premature neonates: 0.3 mg/kg.
Schedule of Atracurium
H
Storage Requirements for Atracurium
Store at 2 - 8 degree C (36 and 46 degrees F). Do not freeze.
Effects of Missed Dosage of Atracurium
Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose. Continue the regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Effects of Overdose of Atracurium
Give symptomatic and supportive treatment. Reversal of blockade may be accomplished by administering an anticholinesterase agent (edrophomium, physostigmine, or neostigmine) with an anticholinergic agent (atropine or glycopyrrolate).

Home Delivery for Atracurium in Your City

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

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 atracurium and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for atracurium 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 atracurium 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 atracurium before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for atracurium with the pharmacy.

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