Drug interactions
Amikacin + Rapacuronium
Severity: Major
Amikacin and Rapacuronium: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Aminoglycosides have neuromuscular blocking properties and can potentiate non-depolarizing blockers. This may prolong paralysis and cause respiratory depression or apnea after surgery.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amikacin and Rapacuronium can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Why it happens
Additive neuromuscular blockade through reduced presynaptic acetylcholine release and postsynaptic effects.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four and ensure ventilatory support is available. Reduce the neuromuscular blocker dose and prefer an alternative antibiotic when possible.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amikacin and Rapacuronium, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Amikacin
- Amikacin + Cidofovir Contraindicated
- Adefovir + Amikacin Major
- Amikacin + Amphotericin b Major
- Amikacin + Amphotericin b deoxycholate Major
- Amikacin + Atracurium Major
- Amikacin + Bacitracin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amikacin with Rapacuronium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amikacin and Rapacuronium can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Aminoglycosides have neuromuscular blocking properties and can potentiate non-depolarizing blockers. This may prolong paralysis and cause respiratory depression or apnea after surgery.
How serious is the interaction between Amikacin and Rapacuronium?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four and ensure ventilatory support is available. Reduce the neuromuscular blocker dose and prefer an alternative antibiotic when possible.
What other medicines interact with Amikacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Amikacin with, for example, Cidofovir, Adefovir, Amphotericin b. The full list is on the Amikacin page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
