Drug interactions
Atracurium + Nifedipine
Severity: Minor
Atracurium and Nifedipine: minor 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
Calcium channel blockers may modestly enhance and prolong neuromuscular blockade from nondepolarizing agents such as atracurium. The effect is usually small, but recovery from blockade may be slower than expected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atracurium and Nifedipine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Atracurium belongs to Musculoskeletal; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Calcium channel blockade may reduce presynaptic acetylcholine release and add to postsynaptic nondepolarizing blockade.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four during anesthesia and titrate atracurium to effect. Be prepared for slower recovery and reversal.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Atracurium
Other interactions of Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atracurium with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Atracurium and Nifedipine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Calcium channel blockers may modestly enhance and prolong neuromuscular blockade from nondepolarizing agents such as atracurium. The effect is usually small, but recovery from blockade may be slower than expected.
How serious is the interaction between Atracurium and Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates it minor, 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 during anesthesia and titrate atracurium to effect. Be prepared for slower recovery and reversal.
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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