Succinylcholine
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Succinylcholine: Succinylcholine (SCh) is a
depolarizing type neuromuscular blocking drug with rapid onset
and short duration. It is used to produce muscle relaxation/paralysis
during surgery and may be given as necessary as determined by
anesthesia provider. SCh may be given to facilitate tracheal intubation
in difficult intubations to prevent laryngospasm. SCh mimics the
action of acetylcholine but is slower to hydrolyze or dissociate
from the postjunctional membrane resulting in sustained depolarization.
This sustained state of depolarization prevents the post-junctional
membrane from responding to subsequent stimuli from acetylcholine
resulting in paralysis. Adverse side effects of succinylcholine
may include cardiac dysrhythmias, fasciculations (unsynchronized
contractions of skeletal muscle), hyperkalemia (high levels of
potassium) , myalgia (non-specific or diffuse muscle pain or tenderness),
increased intraocular pressure, increased intracranial pressure,
increased intragastric pressure, and trismus (jaw rigidity).
