Vecuronium

Drugbox|
IUPAC_name = [(2"S",3"S",5"S",8"R",9"S",10"S",13"S",14"S",16"S",17"S")-
17-acetyloxy-10,13-dimethyl-16-(1-methyl-3,4,
5,6-tetrahydro-2"H"-pyridin-1-yl)-2-(1-piperidyl)-
2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-tetradecahydro-
1"H"-cyclopenta [a] phenanthren-3-yl] acetate

---

CAS_number=50700-72-6
ATC_prefix=M03
ATC_suffix=AC03
ATC_supplemental=
PubChem=39765
DrugBank=
C = 34 | H = 57 | N = 2 | O = 4 | charge = +
molecular_weight = 557.827 g/mol
bioavailability= 100% (IV)
metabolism = liver 30%
elimination_half-life= 51–80 minutes (longer with renal failure)
excretion = Fecal (40-75%) and renal (30% as unchanged drug and metabolites)
pregnancy_US = C
legal_status =
routes_of_administration= Intravenous

Vecuronium bromide (trade name Norcuron) is a muscle relaxant in the category of non depolarising neuromuscular blocking agents. Vecuronium bromide is indicated as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanicalventilation. Although vecuronium bromide is often thought of as a muscle relaxant, it may be more accurate to classify it as a paralyzing agent.

Clinical pharmacology

Vecuronium operates by competing for the cholinergic receptors at the motor end plate thereby exerting its muscle relaxing properties which are used adjunctively to general anesthesia. Under balanced anesthesia, the time to recovery to 25% of control (clinical duration) isapproximately 25 to 40 minutes after injection and recovery is usually 95% completeapproximately 45 to 65 minutes after injection of intubating dose. The neuromuscularblocking action of vecuronium is slightly enhanced in the presence of potent inhalationanesthetics. If vecuronium is first administered more than 5 minutes after the start of theinhalation of enflurane, isoflurane, or halothane, or when a steady state has been achieved, the intubating dose of vecuronium may be decreased by approximately 15%.

Vecuronium is an aminosteroid.

In the news

In 2001, Japanese nurse Daisuke Mori was reported to murder 10 patients using vecuronium bromide. [cite news|url=http://www.expressindia.com/news/ie/daily/20010111/iin11054.html|title=Japanese nurse kills 10 patients, says wanted to trouble hospital|publisher=The Indian Express|date=2001-01-10|accessdate=2008-03-22] He was convicted of a murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment. [cite news|url=http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8V2JI400&show_article=1|title=Top court dismisses appeal by ex-nurse over Sendai clinic murder|publisher=Breitbart.com|date=2008-02-27|accessdate=2008-03-22]

ee also

* Pancuronium

References