Drug interactions
Rocuronium + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Rocuronium 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
Prior succinylcholine can alter the onset and potency of rocuronium, typically enhancing blockade, and rocuronium given too early can confound assessment of depolarizing block. Response is variable, particularly if succinylcholine has produced phase II block.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rocuronium 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.
Rocuronium belongs to Musculoskeletal; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Depolarizing agonist action of succinylcholine and competitive nicotinic antagonism by rocuronium interact at the same receptor, with variable pharmacodynamic outcome.
What to do
Give rocuronium only after succinylcholine effects have clearly subsided, and use train-of-four monitoring to titrate. Reduce the rocuronium dose as guided by monitoring.
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 Rocuronium
Other interactions of Succinylcholine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rocuronium with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rocuronium 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. Prior succinylcholine can alter the onset and potency of rocuronium, typically enhancing blockade, and rocuronium given too early can confound assessment of depolarizing block. Response is variable, particularly if succinylcholine has produced phase II block.
How serious is the interaction between Rocuronium 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: Give rocuronium only after succinylcholine effects have clearly subsided, and use train-of-four monitoring to titrate. Reduce the rocuronium dose as guided by monitoring.
What other medicines interact with Rocuronium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Rocuronium with, for example, Amikacin, Bacitracin-neomycin-polymyxin, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Rocuronium page.
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