Drug interactions
Cisatracurium + Dexamethasone
Severity: Moderate
Cisatracurium and Dexamethasone: 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
Systemic corticosteroids given with non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers, especially in prolonged ICU use, are associated with acute quadriplegic myopathy. This can delay weaning from ventilation and prolong recovery.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cisatracurium and Dexamethasone 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.
Cisatracurium belongs to Musculoskeletal; Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive muscle toxicity; corticosteroids and prolonged neuromuscular blockade both contribute to myosin loss and myopathy.
What to do
Use the lowest effective dose and shortest duration of cisatracurium, with train-of-four monitoring. Evaluate for prolonged weakness and check creatine kinase if myopathy is suspected.
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 Cisatracurium
Other interactions of Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cisatracurium with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cisatracurium and Dexamethasone 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. Systemic corticosteroids given with non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockers, especially in prolonged ICU use, are associated with acute quadriplegic myopathy. This can delay weaning from ventilation and prolong recovery.
How serious is the interaction between Cisatracurium and Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective dose and shortest duration of cisatracurium, with train-of-four monitoring. Evaluate for prolonged weakness and check creatine kinase if myopathy is suspected.
What other medicines interact with Cisatracurium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cisatracurium with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Benzhydrocodone / acetaminophen. The full list is on the Cisatracurium page.
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