rocuronium

Rocuronium is a non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent of the aminosteroid class, primarily used to induce skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation and to facilitate tracheal intubation. It acts as a competitive antagonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction, preventing acetylcholine from binding and thereby inhibiting depolarization and subsequent muscle contraction. Rocuronium has a rapid onset and intermediate duration of action. It was introduced in 1994 as a desacetoxy analogue of vecuronium with faster onset properties. The drug is commonly marketed under the trade names Zemuron and Esmeron. Sugammadex can be used to reverse its effects by encapsulating rocuronium molecules.

Brand names

ZemuronEsmeron

Other names

rocuronium bromide