Generic
Vecuronium Bromide
5 brands available in the market
At a glance
Vecuronium Bromide belongs to a group of medicines called muscle relaxants. It is used along with general anesthesia or sedatives to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgical procedures. It is also used to facilitate emergency airway management in patients in intensive care.
Description
Vecuronium Bromide is a non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agent. Vecuronium Bromide blocks the transmission process between the motor nerve-ending and striated muscle by binding competitively with acetylcholine to the nicotinic receptors located in the motor end-plate region of striated muscle.
Indications
- Skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery
- Facilitate endotracheal intubation
- Facilitate mechanical ventilation in intensive care
Therapeutic class
Non-depolarizing muscle relaxants
Pharmacological class
Non-depolarizing Neuromuscular Blocking Agent
Pharmacology
Vecuronium Bromide is a non-depolarising neuromuscular blocking agent. It blocks the transmission process between the motor nerve-ending and striated muscle by binding competitively with acetylcholine to the nicotinic receptors located in the motor end-plate region of striated muscle.
Mechanism of action
Blocks acetylcholine binding to nicotinic receptors, preventing nerve impulses and relaxing muscles.
Dosage
Adult Dose (IV):
- Initial: 80-100 mcg/kg injection
- Maintenance: 20-30 mcg/kg injection or continuous infusion at 0.8-1.4 mcg/kg/min
- After intubation with suxamethonium: 30-50 mcg/kg
- Caesarean section: <100 mcg/kg
- Surgery under halothane and neurolept anaesthesia: Initial 150-300 mcg/kg
Child Dose (IV):
- 4 months: 80-100 mcg/kg injection
- Maintenance: 20-30 mcg/kg injection or continuous infusion at 0.8-1.4 mcg/kg/min
- Neonatal surgery: <100 mcg/kg
Administration
- Administered by a doctor or nurse as IV injection or continuous infusion; do not self-administer
- Administer following reconstitution
- May be reconstituted with 5% glucose, 0.9% sodium chloride, Lactated Ringer's solution, etc.
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, consult your doctor.
Side effects
Common Side Effects:
- Skin rash
- Increased saliva production
- Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
- High blood pressure
- Skin flushing
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Bronchospasm
- Anaphylactoid reactions (rare)
- Acute myopathy (after prolonged use in intensive care)
Precautions & warnings
- May decrease alertness; do not drive
- Administered only by healthcare professionals
- Continuous monitoring during treatment
- Artificial ventilation until able to breathe independently
- Avoid alcohol
- Caution in neuromuscular disorders, myasthenia gravis, hypothermia, fluid and electrolyte disturbances
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to vecuronium or bromide
Drug interactions
- Volatile anaesthetic agents (halothane, ether, enflurane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol, cyclopropane), fentanyl, other non-depolarising muscle relaxants, succinylcholine, tetracyclines, polymyxins, diuretics, thiamine, MAOIs, bacitracin, colistin, aminoglycoside antibiotics, high dose metronidazole, protamine, beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, magnesium: increased neuromuscular blockade
- Anticholinesterases, chronic corticosteroids, phenytoin, carbamazepine, noradrenaline, azathioprine, theophylline, calcium chloride: decreased neuromuscular blockade
Food interactions
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Vecuronium Bromide.
Use in pregnancy
Use in Pregnancy: May be unsafe; animal studies show harmful effects; consult your doctor. Safe for use in caesarean section at doses up to 0.1 mg/kg.
Pregnancy Category: C — always consult a doctor before taking during pregnancy.
Use in lactation
Use in Lactation: Probably safe; limited human data suggests no significant risk; consult your doctor.
Pediatric use
Pediatric dosage regimen established (4 months and older)
Geriatric use
No dosage adjustment needed in elderly
Renal / hepatic impairment
Renal Impairment: Safe; no dose adjustment recommended
Hepatic Impairment: Caution needed; dose adjustment may be needed
Overdose effects
Symptoms: Prolonged neuromuscular block.
Treatment: Continue ventilatory support and sedation; administer acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (neostigmine, edrophonium, pyridostigmine); continue ventilation until spontaneous breathing is restored.
Storage conditions
Store in a cool and dry place. Protect from light. Keep out of reach of children.