Succinylcholine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 11, 2024.

Applies to succinylcholine: solution.

Precautions

Your doctor will check you closely after receiving this medicine. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause heart rhythm problems (eg, ventricular dysrhythmias) in children with rhabdomyolysis (serious muscle problem) with hyperkalemia. Check with your doctor right away if you have dizziness, fainting, or fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Check with your doctor right away if you have chest tightness, cough, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, fast heartbeat, hives, itching, or skin rash, puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Hyperkalemia may occur rarely after receiving this medicine. Tell your doctor right away if you have confusion, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or legs, or trouble breathing after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause malignant hyperthermia (high body temperature). Check with your doctor right away if you have fast heartbeat, high fever, or rigid muscles.

This medicine may cause bradycardia (slow heartbeat). Check with your doctor right away if you or your child has chest pain or discomfort, lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting, slow or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, or unusual tiredness.

Check with your doctor right away if you have blurred vision, change in vision, or loss of vision. These may be symptoms of increase intraocular pressure.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of succinylcholine

Along with its needed effects, succinylcholine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking succinylcholine:

Other side effects of succinylcholine

Some side effects of succinylcholine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to succinylcholine: compounding powder, injectable powder for injection, injectable solution, intravenous solution.

Hypersensitivity adverse events

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Muscle fasciculation, post-operative muscle pain
• Common (1% to 10%): Myoglobinemia, myoglobinuria
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Trismus
• Frequency not reported: Rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, myoglobinemia, elevated creatine phosphokinase, hypertonia, precipitation or exacerbation of myasthenia gravis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased intraocular pressure^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bronchospasm, prolonged respiratory depression, apnea
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Increased bronchial secretions, pulmonary edema (in infants)^[Ref]

Other

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Malignant hyperthermia, porphyria^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Renal failure^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Bradycardia, tachycardia, flushing, hypertension, hypotension
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Arrhythmias (including ventricular arrhythmia), cardiac arrest, hyperkalemia-related cardiac arrest (following administration to patients with congenital cerebral palsy, tetanus, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and closed head injury)
• Frequency not reported: Circulatory collapse, shock^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Increased intragastric pressure, excessive salivation
• Frequency not reported: Increased bowel movements, increased gastric secretions^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Succinylcholine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer