Drug interactions
Atracurium + Magnesium
Severity: Moderate
Atracurium and Magnesium: 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
Parenteral magnesium sulfate potentiates and prolongs neuromuscular blockade from atracurium. This may lead to delayed recovery and prolonged respiratory muscle weakness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atracurium and Magnesium 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; Magnesium belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Magnesium reduces presynaptic acetylcholine release and lowers postsynaptic sensitivity, adding to nondepolarizing blockade.
What to do
Reduce neuromuscular blocker dose and monitor with train-of-four. Be prepared for prolonged ventilatory support.
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 Magnesium
- Ciprofloxacin + Magnesium Major
- Magnesium + Pancuronium Major
- Magnesium + Rocuronium Major
- Magnesium + Vecuronium Major
- Amikacin + Magnesium Moderate
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Magnesium Moderate
Other interactions of Atracurium
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atracurium with Magnesium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atracurium and Magnesium 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. Parenteral magnesium sulfate potentiates and prolongs neuromuscular blockade from atracurium. This may lead to delayed recovery and prolonged respiratory muscle weakness.
How serious is the interaction between Atracurium and Magnesium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Reduce neuromuscular blocker dose and monitor with train-of-four. Be prepared for prolonged ventilatory support.
What other medicines interact with Magnesium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Magnesium with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Pancuronium, Rocuronium. The full list is on the Magnesium page.
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