hexafluronium

Hexafluronium is a synthetic neuromuscular blocking agent used in anesthesiology to prolong and potentiate the skeletal muscle relaxing action of succinylcholine (suxamethonium) during surgery. It acts as a non-competitive reversible inhibitor of human plasma cholinesterase (pseudocholinesterase), binding to anionic side receptors near the enzyme's active center and causing conformational changes that prevent acylation at the esteratic site. This inhibition slows the breakdown of acetylcholine, thereby enhancing and prolonging neuromuscular blockade. Hexafluronium also functions as a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, blocking synaptic transmission at skeletal neuromuscular junctions[1][2][5][7]. Its primary clinical use has been as an adjunct to depolarizing muscle relaxants like succinylcholine in surgical anesthesia.

Brand names

MylaxenMilaxen

Other names

hexafluoreniumhexafluorenium bromidehexafluronium bromideesafluronio bromuro