Drug interactions
Deflazacort + Succinylcholine
Severity: Minor
Deflazacort and Succinylcholine: 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
Systemic corticosteroids given with neuromuscular blockers, mostly nondepolarizing agents in prolonged ICU use, are associated with acute myopathy. With a single dose of succinylcholine for intubation the risk is low. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who often take deflazacort, have a separate and much greater risk with succinylcholine (hyperkalemia, rhabdomyolysis).
What this interaction means in plain words
Deflazacort and Succinylcholine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Deflazacort belongs to Miscellaneous; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Corticosteroids and neuromuscular blockade both injure muscle, and the exact mechanism of combined myopathy is not fully established.
What to do
Avoid succinylcholine in patients with muscular dystrophy regardless of steroid use. In other patients, limit duration of neuromuscular blockade and monitor for weakness.
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 Succinylcholine
Other interactions of Deflazacort
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Deflazacort with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Deflazacort and Succinylcholine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Systemic corticosteroids given with neuromuscular blockers, mostly nondepolarizing agents in prolonged ICU use, are associated with acute myopathy. With a single dose of succinylcholine for intubation the risk is low. Patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who often take deflazacort, have a separate and much greater risk with succinylcholine (hyperkalemia, rhabdomyolysis).
How serious is the interaction between Deflazacort and Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid succinylcholine in patients with muscular dystrophy regardless of steroid use. In other patients, limit duration of neuromuscular blockade and monitor for weakness.
What other medicines interact with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Succinylcholine with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Succinylcholine page.
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