Skip to content

Drug interactions

Streptomycin + Succinylcholine

Severity: Major

Streptomycin and Succinylcholine: major 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

Aminoglycosides such as streptomycin can impair neuromuscular transmission and may potentiate or prolong the paralysis from succinylcholine. This may lead to prolonged apnea or delayed recovery of respiratory muscle function.

What this interaction means in plain words

Streptomycin and Succinylcholine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.

Streptomycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Aminoglycosides reduce presynaptic acetylcholine release and decrease postsynaptic sensitivity, adding to neuromuscular blockade.

What to do

Monitor neuromuscular blockade with nerve stimulation and keep ventilatory support available until full recovery. Avoid giving streptomycin perioperatively when an alternative is possible.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
  • Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
  • What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Streptomycin and Succinylcholine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Streptomycin with Succinylcholine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Streptomycin and Succinylcholine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Aminoglycosides such as streptomycin can impair neuromuscular transmission and may potentiate or prolong the paralysis from succinylcholine. This may lead to prolonged apnea or delayed recovery of respiratory muscle function.

How serious is the interaction between Streptomycin and Succinylcholine?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor neuromuscular blockade with nerve stimulation and keep ventilatory support available until full recovery. Avoid giving streptomycin perioperatively when an alternative is possible.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in