Quelicin Dosage

Generic name: SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE 20mg in 1mL
Dosage form: injection, solution
Drug class: Neuromuscular blocking agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 5, 2023.

Important Dosage and Administration Information

•: QUELICIN is for intravenous or intramuscular use only.
•: QUELICIN must be titrated to effect by or under supervision of experienced clinicians who are familiar with its actions and with appropriate neuromuscular monitoring techniques.
•: QUELICIN should be administered only by those skilled in the management of artificial respiration and only when facilities are instantly available for tracheal intubation and for providing adequate ventilation of the patient, including the administration of oxygen under positive pressure and the elimination of CO2. The clinician must be prepared to assist or control respiration.
•: The dosage of QUELICIN should be individualized and should always be determined by the clinician after careful assessment of the patient.
•: To avoid distress to the patient, do not administer QUELICIN before unconsciousness has been induced.
•: The occurrence of bradyarrhythmias with administration of QUELICIN may be reduced by pretreatment with anticholinergics (e.g., atropine).
•: Monitor neuromuscular function with a peripheral nerve stimulator when using QUELICIN by infusion.
•: Visually inspect QUELICIN for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not administer solutions that are not clear and colorless.
•: QUELICIN supplied in single-dose vials must be diluted before use. QUELICIN supplied in multiple-dose vials does not require dilution before use.

Risk of Medication Errors

Accidental administration of neuromuscular blocking agents may be fatal. Store QUELICIN with the cap and ferrule intact and in a manner that minimizes the possibility of selecting the wrong product.

Dosage Recommendations for Intravenous Use in Adults

For Short Surgical Procedures

The average dose required to produce neuromuscular blockade and to facilitate tracheal intubation is 0.6 mg/kg QUELICIN given intravenously. The optimum intravenous dose of QUELICIN will vary among patients and may be from 0.3 mg/kg to 1.1 mg/kg for adults. Following intravenous administration of doses in this range, neuromuscular blockade develops in about 1 minute; maximum blockade may persist for about 2 minutes, after which recovery takes place within 4 to 6 minutes. A 5 to 10 mg intravenous test dose of QUELICIN may be used to determine the sensitivity of the patient and the individual recovery time.

For Long Surgical Procedures

Continuous Intravenous Infusion

The dosage of QUELICIN administered by continuous intravenous infusion depends upon the duration of the surgical procedure and the need for muscle relaxation.

Diluted QUELICIN solutions containing from 1 mg/mL to 2 mg/mL succinylcholine have commonly been used for continuous intravenous infusion. The more dilute solution (1 mg/mL) is probably preferable from the standpoint of ease of control of the rate of administration of QUELICIN and, hence, of relaxation. This diluted QUELICIN solution containing 1 mg/mL succinylcholine may be administered intravenously at a rate of 0.5 mg (0.5 mL) per minute to 10 mg (10 mL) per minute to obtain the required amount of relaxation. The amount required per minute will depend upon the individual response as well as the degree of relaxation required. The average rate of continuous intravenous infusion for an adult ranges between 2.5 mg per minute and 4.3 mg per minute.

Monitor neuromuscular function with a peripheral nerve stimulator when using QUELICIN by infusion in order to avoid overdose, detect development of Phase II block, follow its rate of recovery, and assess the effects of reversing agents.

Intermittent Intravenous Injection

Intermittent intravenous injections of QUELICIN may also be used to provide muscle relaxation for long procedures. An intravenous injection of 0.3 mg/kg to 1.1 mg/kg may be given initially, followed, at appropriate intervals, by further intravenous injections of 0.04 mg/kg to 0.07 mg/kg to maintain the degree of relaxation required.

Dosage Recommendations for Intravenous Use in Pediatric Patients

For emergency tracheal intubation or in instances where immediate securing of the airway is necessary, the intravenous dose of QUELICIN is 2 mg/kg for infants and other small pediatric patients; for older pediatric patients and adolescents the intravenous dose is 1 mg/kg. The effective dose of QUELICIN in pediatric patients may be higher than that predicted by body weight dosing alone. For example, the usual adult intravenous dose of 0.6 mg/kg is comparable to a dose of 2 mg/kg to 3 mg/kg in neonates and infants up to 6 months of age and 1 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg in infants up to 2 years of age.

Dosage Recommendations for Intramuscular Use in Adults and Pediatric Patients

If a suitable vein is inaccessible, QUELICIN may be administered intramuscularly at a dose of up to 3 mg/kg to 4 mg/kg to infants, older pediatric patients, or adults. The total dose administered by the intramuscular route should not exceed 150 mg. The onset of effect of succinylcholine given intramuscularly is usually observed in about 2 to 3 minutes.

Preparation of QUELICIN

QUELICIN supplied in single-dose vials must be diluted before use. QUELICIN supplied in multiple-dose vials does not require dilution before use.

QUELICIN may be diluted to 1 mg/mL or 2 mg/mL in a solution such as:

•: 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, or
•: 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP

Prepare the diluted QUELICIN solution for single patient use only. Store the diluted QUELICIN solution in a refrigerator [2 °C to 8 °C (36 °F to 46 °F)] and use within 24 hours after preparation. Visually inspect the diluted QUELICIN solution for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration. Do not administer solutions that are not clear and colorless. Discard any unused portion of the diluted QUELICIN solution.

Drug Incompatibility

QUELICIN is acidic (pH is between 3.0 and 4.5) and may not be compatible with alkaline solutions having a pH greater than 8.5 (e.g., barbiturate solutions). Therefore, do not mix QUELICIN with alkaline solutions.