succinylcholine

Succinylcholine is a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent used primarily as an adjunct to general anesthesia to facilitate tracheal intubation and provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation. It acts by binding to post-synaptic cholinergic receptors at the motor endplate of skeletal muscle, causing persistent depolarization and subsequent paralysis. Its onset is rapid (within 60 seconds IV) and duration short (4–6 minutes). Succinylcholine does not affect consciousness or pain perception and must be administered with adequate anesthesia. It is rapidly hydrolyzed by plasma butyrylcholinesterase. The drug is also used in emergency medicine for rapid sequence intubation due to its fast onset and brief action[1][2][6].

Brand names

AnectineQuelicinsuxamethonium

Other names

succinylcholine chloridesuxamethonium chloride