What is a safe dose of succinylcholine? How does it mix with other anesthetics?

20 Aug 2009

Succinylcholine is used to relax muscles during surgery or when using a breathing machine (ventilator). It is also used to induce anesthesia or when a tube must be inserted in the windpipe. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

For more information see http://www.drugs.com/cdi/succinylcholine.html
http://www.drugs.com/pro/anectine.html - for detailed dosage, precautions, drug interactions etc

12 Sep 2009

The use of succhinylcholine can also be related to a genetic metabolic muscle syndrome known as Malignant Hyperthermia. I was given Succhinylcholine in 1983 while undergoing an emergency appendectomy. I went into cardiac arrest 20 minutes later. The antidote is Dantrium (Dantrolene Sodium.) Fortunately, the anesthesiologist had read about M.H. 3 weeks prior to my surgery. You can find information regarding M.H. on their website at www.mhaus.org. It is only seen in 1/50,000 people. The causative gene is normally the RYR-1 gene and you can have a blood test done to see if you have the mutation. There are 2 labs in the U.S. who perform the test for M.H. The information is on the website. I am sorry I can't answer your question as to what a safe dose of Succinylcholine is, but I felt you should certainly be aware that it may be possible that you may be at risk of having Malignant Hyperthermia since you had this reaction to anesthesia and may wish to seek having the test performed to see if you carry it. Best Wishes.