Drug interactions
Oxytetracycline + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Oxytetracycline 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
Tetracyclines have weak neuromuscular blocking activity reported in some cases, which may add to the depolarizing block of succinylcholine. This could prolong paralysis or delay recovery of spontaneous breathing after surgery.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxytetracycline 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.
Oxytetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive neuromuscular blockade, possibly through calcium chelation and weak presynaptic and postsynaptic effects of tetracyclines.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function with a peripheral nerve stimulator and ensure ventilatory support is available until full recovery. Choose a different antibiotic around the time of surgery if practical.
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 Succinylcholine
Other interactions of Oxytetracycline
- Isotretinoin + Oxytetracycline Contraindicated
- Aluminum hydroxide + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin-sulbactam + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Atracurium + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Bismuth subsalicylate + Oxytetracycline Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Oxytetracycline with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Oxytetracycline 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. Tetracyclines have weak neuromuscular blocking activity reported in some cases, which may add to the depolarizing block of succinylcholine. This could prolong paralysis or delay recovery of spontaneous breathing after surgery.
How serious is the interaction between Oxytetracycline 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: Monitor neuromuscular function with a peripheral nerve stimulator and ensure ventilatory support is available until full recovery. Choose a different antibiotic around the time of surgery if practical.
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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