Vecuronium Bromide

What it is used for

• Muscle relaxation during anesthesia
• Neuromuscular blockade (loading dose)
• Neuromuscular blockade (maintenance)
• Muscle relaxation during anesthesia
• Muscle relaxation during anesthesia
• Muscle relaxation (CRI maintenance with propofol-fentanyl)
• Muscle relaxation (CRI maintenance with fentanyl-isoflurane or fentanyl-sevoflurane)
• Neuromuscular blockade (loading dose)
• Neuromuscular blockade (maintenance)
• Reversal of neuromuscular blockade

How it is given

Possible side effects

• Profound, prolonged musculoskeletal paralysis (pharmacologic effect)
• Skeletal muscle weakness
• Respiratory arrest (if mechanical ventilation is not provided)
• Prolonged apnea (expected pharmacological effect)
• No cardiovascular effects or histamine release reported at clinical doses

Cautions & contraindications

• Known hypersensitivity to vecuronium or bromides
• Conscious or inadequately anesthetized animals
• Lack of facilities for positive pressure ventilation/mechanical ventilation
• Severe hepatic dysfunction (relative contraindication; atracurium preferred)
• * **Ventilation Required**: Must only be used when facilities for intubation and mechanical ventilation are immediately available. * **Organ Dysfunction**: Use with caution in patients with severe **renal dysfunction**. Lower doses may be necessary in patients with **hepatic or biliary disease** due to delayed clearance and prolonged recovery times. * **Myasthenia Gravis**: Neuromuscular blocking agents should be used with extreme caution, if at all, in patients with myasthenia gravis (though one successful case in a dog has been reported). * **Pregnancy**: FDA Category C. Animal studies show adverse fetal effects, but adequate human/veterinary studies are lacking. Use only if benefits outweigh risks. * **No Analgesia**: Does not provide pain relief or sedation. Ensure adequate depth of anesthesia.

Drug interactions

• Other Non-Depolarizing Muscle Relaxants: May have a synergistic effect if used concurrently with vecuronium.
• Succinylcholine: May speed the onset of action and enhance the neuromuscular blocking actions of vecuronium; do not give vecuronium until succinylcholine effects have subsided.
• Aminoglycosides: May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.
• Inhalant Anesthetics (Halothane, Isoflurane, Sevoflurane): May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.
• Clindamycin, Lincomycin: May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.
• Dantrolene: May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.
• Magnesium Salts: May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.
• Piperacillin, Mezlocillin: May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.
• Quinidine: May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.
• Tetracyclines: May enhance or prolong the neuromuscular blocking activity.

Frequently asked questions