Drug interactions
Atracurium + Cisatracurium
Severity: Moderate
Atracurium and Cisatracurium: moderate 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
Both are non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers, so giving them together produces additive muscle paralysis. This can lead to deeper or more prolonged blockade than expected from either drug alone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atracurium and Cisatracurium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Atracurium belongs to Musculoskeletal; Cisatracurium belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive competitive antagonism at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use unless intended and titrate doses using quantitative train-of-four monitoring. Ensure ventilatory support is available until full recovery is confirmed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Atracurium
Other interactions of Cisatracurium
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atracurium with Cisatracurium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atracurium and Cisatracurium can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both are non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers, so giving them together produces additive muscle paralysis. This can lead to deeper or more prolonged blockade than expected from either drug alone.
How serious is the interaction between Atracurium and Cisatracurium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use unless intended and titrate doses using quantitative train-of-four monitoring. Ensure ventilatory support is available until full recovery is confirmed.
What other medicines interact with Atracurium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Atracurium with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Atracurium page.
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