Drug interactions
Atracurium + Galantamine
Severity: Moderate
Atracurium and Galantamine: 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
Galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, increases acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and may reduce the effect of non-depolarizing blockers such as atracurium. This can lead to resistance to blockade or unpredictable neuromuscular response during anesthesia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atracurium and Galantamine 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; Galantamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Cholinesterase inhibition raises acetylcholine, which competes with atracurium at nicotinic receptors.
What to do
Inform the anesthesia team of galantamine use and titrate atracurium using train-of-four monitoring. Be prepared for a higher dose requirement and altered reversal response.
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 Galantamine
- Galantamine + Memantine-donepezil Major
- Galantamine + Physostigmine Major
- Galantamine + Ponesimod Major
- Galantamine + Rivastigmine Major
- Amifampridine + Galantamine Moderate
- Amiodarone + Galantamine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atracurium with Galantamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atracurium and Galantamine 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. Galantamine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, increases acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction and may reduce the effect of non-depolarizing blockers such as atracurium. This can lead to resistance to blockade or unpredictable neuromuscular response during anesthesia.
How serious is the interaction between Atracurium and Galantamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Inform the anesthesia team of galantamine use and titrate atracurium using train-of-four monitoring. Be prepared for a higher dose requirement and altered reversal response.
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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