Drug interactions
Cisatracurium + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Cisatracurium and Succinylcholine: 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
Succinylcholine given before cisatracurium may speed onset and deepen the block of the non-depolarizing agent, though the effect is variable. Giving a non-depolarizing agent beforehand can instead reduce or alter succinylcholine's depolarizing block.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cisatracurium and Succinylcholine 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; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Depolarizing and competitive non-depolarizing agents act at the same nicotinic receptors, with variable pharmacodynamic interplay including possible phase II block.
What to do
Allow the succinylcholine effect to wane before giving cisatracurium and use a lower initial dose guided by train-of-four monitoring. Be aware that succinylcholine response can be unpredictable after prior non-depolarizing blocker use.
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 Succinylcholine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cisatracurium with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cisatracurium and Succinylcholine 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. Succinylcholine given before cisatracurium may speed onset and deepen the block of the non-depolarizing agent, though the effect is variable. Giving a non-depolarizing agent beforehand can instead reduce or alter succinylcholine's depolarizing block.
How serious is the interaction between Cisatracurium and Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Allow the succinylcholine effect to wane before giving cisatracurium and use a lower initial dose guided by train-of-four monitoring. Be aware that succinylcholine response can be unpredictable after prior non-depolarizing blocker use.
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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