Drug interactions
Rocuronium + Verapamil
Severity: Moderate
Rocuronium and Verapamil: 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
Verapamil can potentiate and prolong neuromuscular blockade from non-depolarizing agents such as rocuronium, and delayed recovery has been reported. The effect is usually manageable with monitoring.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rocuronium and Verapamil 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; Verapamil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Calcium channel blockade reduces presynaptic acetylcholine release and adds to the postsynaptic block of rocuronium.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular function with train-of-four and titrate rocuronium to the lowest effective dose. Confirm full recovery before extubation.
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 Verapamil
- Dofetilide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Verapamil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rocuronium with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rocuronium and Verapamil 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. Verapamil can potentiate and prolong neuromuscular blockade from non-depolarizing agents such as rocuronium, and delayed recovery has been reported. The effect is usually manageable with monitoring.
How serious is the interaction between Rocuronium and Verapamil?
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 train-of-four and titrate rocuronium to the lowest effective dose. Confirm full recovery before extubation.
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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