Drug interactions
Procainamide + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Procainamide 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
Procainamide has neuromuscular blocking activity and can inhibit plasma cholinesterase, so it may enhance and prolong succinylcholine blockade. The legacy direction of antagonism is not supported.
What this interaction means in plain words
Procainamide 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.
Why it happens
Additive neuromuscular blockade from procainamide and possible reduction of plasma cholinesterase activity slowing succinylcholine hydrolysis.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function with a nerve stimulator and be prepared for prolonged ventilatory support. Use reduced succinylcholine dosing guided by response.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Procainamide with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Procainamide 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. Procainamide has neuromuscular blocking activity and can inhibit plasma cholinesterase, so it may enhance and prolong succinylcholine blockade. The legacy direction of antagonism is not supported.
How serious is the interaction between Procainamide 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 nerve stimulator and be prepared for prolonged ventilatory support. Use reduced succinylcholine dosing guided by response.
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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