Rocuronium

drugbox
IUPAC_name = [3-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-16- (1-prop-2-enyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyrrol- 1-yl)- 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17- tetradecahydro-1"H"-cyclopenta [a] phenanthren- 17-yl] acetate

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CAS_number = 119302-91-9
ATC_prefix = M03
ATC_suffix = AC09
PubChem = 441290
DrugBank = APRD01221
C = 32 | H = 53 | N = 2 | O = 4 | charge = +
molecular_weight = 529.774 g/mol
bioavailability = NA
protein_bound = ~30%
metabolism = some de-acetylation
elimination_half-life = 66–80 minutes
excretion = Unchanged, in bile and urine
pregnancy_category =
legal_UK = POM
routes_of_administration = Intravenous

Rocuronium is an aminosteroid non-depolarizing (that is, it does not cause initial stimulation of muscles before weakening them) neuromuscular blocker or muscle relaxant used in modern anaesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.

It is a more recent member of a family of similar drugs, and has rapid onset, and intermediate duration of action. It is marketed under the trade name of Zemuron in the United States and Esmeron in most other countries.

There is considered to be some risk of allergic reaction to the drug in occasional patients, but a similar incidence of allergic reactions has been observed by using other members of the same drug class (non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs). The drug is commonly used in modern anaesthesia.

The γ-cyclodextrin derivative sugammadex has been recently introduced as a novel agent to reverse the action of rocuronium.