Vecuronium bromide is indicated as an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.
Vecuronium bromide is a nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent used in medical settings. Here are some key details about it:
Indications: Vecuronium bromide is indicated as an adjunct to general anesthesia. It is commonly used to facilitate endotracheal intubation and provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation1.
Chemical Structure: Its chemical formula is C34H57BrN2O4, with a molecular weight of 637.73. The structural formula is:
1-(3α,17β-Dihydroxy-2β-piperidino-5α-androstan-16β,5α-yl)-1-methylpiperidinium bromide, diacetate
.
Formulation: Vecuronium Bromide for Injection is supplied as a sterile nonpyrogenic freeze-dried buffered cake of very fine microscopic crystalline particles for intravenous injection. Each vial contains either 10 mg or 20 mg of vecuronium bromide. The formulation also includes other components like citric acid, sodium phosphate, mannitol, and pH-adjusting agents2.
Pharmacology: Vecuronium competes for cholinergic receptors at the motor end-plate, leading to neuromuscular blockade. It is about 1/3 more potent than pancuronium, with a shorter duration of action. The use of a peripheral nerve stimulator is recommended to assess muscular relaxation. Recovery time after injection varies but is usually complete within 45 to 65 minutes2.
Execution Use: Interestingly, vecuronium bromide has been part of the drug cocktail used in lethal injections in some U.S. prisons. It paralyzes the prisoner, in conjunction with other drugs, to stop breathing and heart function3.
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