Drug interactions
Succinylcholine + Tetracycline
Severity: Moderate
Succinylcholine and Tetracycline: 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
Tetracycline has been associated with weak neuromuscular blocking effects that may add to succinylcholine paralysis. Recovery of spontaneous breathing may be delayed, mainly in patients with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Succinylcholine and Tetracycline 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.
Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Tetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive neuromuscular blockade, possibly through calcium chelation and weak presynaptic and postsynaptic effects of tetracyclines.
What to do
Monitor neuromuscular recovery with a nerve stimulator and keep airway and ventilatory support available. Prefer a different antibiotic perioperatively if clinically appropriate.
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 Tetracycline
- Acitretin + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Methoxyflurane + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Tetracycline Major
- Palovarotene + Tetracycline Major
- Strontium ranelate + Tetracycline Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Succinylcholine with Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Succinylcholine and Tetracycline 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. Tetracycline has been associated with weak neuromuscular blocking effects that may add to succinylcholine paralysis. Recovery of spontaneous breathing may be delayed, mainly in patients with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Succinylcholine and Tetracycline?
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 recovery with a nerve stimulator and keep airway and ventilatory support available. Prefer a different antibiotic perioperatively if clinically appropriate.
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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