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Background 

Overview: Neuromuscular blocking agents are used in the ICU setting for 3 reasons: (1) to eliminate spontaneous breathing and promote mechanical ventilation (eg eliminate urge to fight the vent. (2) Cause a pharmacologic restraint so patients do not harm themselves. (3) To decrease oxygen consumption.

Train of four  

Whenever a paralytic agent is used, the Train of Four is the test used to measure the degree of neuromuscular blockade. A peripheral nerve stimulator is used. Do a baseline measurement before paralytic agent is started to determine current necessary to obtain twitch. 20 mA may be enough for the patient. Complete and document until TOF to 2/4.

Instructions

1. Attach 2 electrodes along the course of the ulnar nerve. (Temporal may be used.)
2. Connect the lead to the peripheral nerve stimulator by inserting the jacks into the Proximal (red) and Distal (black) output jacks. Connect the other end to the patient electrodes.
3. Turn the stimulator on. Select the current necessary (usually 20) for that patient to twitch when the stimuli is applied.
4. Press TOF once. It will deliver a train of four pulses where each is 0.5 seconds apart. Do NOT use the other buttons on the stimulator!
5. Count the number of twitches the patient had out of four (0/4, 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4.) Adjust the medication as ordered. Goal is 1/4 to 2/4 twitches.

Atracurium (tracrium ® ) 

May be given undiluted by IV bolus.
Dosing (Adults): initially 0.4 to 0.5 mg/kg IV bolus, followed by 0.08 to 0.1 mg/kg every 20 to 45 minutes after initial dose.
Continuous infusion
: initially 0.4 to 0.5 mg IV bolus, followed by 9 to 10 mcg/kg/min. Maintenance infusion rates of 5 to 9 mcg/kg/min are usually adequate. (Range: 2 to 15 mcg/kg/min).

Toxic metabolite (laudanosine) may accumulate in renal failure.

[Supplied: 50 mg/5 ml ; 100 mg/10ml vial]

Cisatracurium  (nimbex ® ) 

Dosing (Adults):
Intermittent
: initial dose: 0.15 to 0.2 mg/kg IV bolus followed by 0.03 mg/kg IV every 40 to 60 minutes.
Continuous infusion: 0.15 to 0.2 mg/kg IV bolus followed by 1 to 3 mcg/kg/min. The average infusion rate for long term use in the ICU is @ 3 mcg/kg/min (range: 0.5 to 10.2 mcg/kg/min). In some cases, re-administration of the bolus dose may be req'd while titrating. Dosage reductions are not required in renal or hepatic failure.

Drug of choice in the following cases: (1) hemodynamically significant increases in HR (eg >20%) while paralyzed with pancuronium or MAP>110. (2) Concurrent corticosteroid administration (>72hrs) (3) Significant renal dysfunction (CRCL < 30 ml/min) (4)History of asthma or bronchospasm.

Doxacurium  (nuromax ® ) 

Dosing (Adults): (usual)
Anesthesia adjunct
: initial, 0.05 mg/kg and 0.08 mg/kg IV to provide neuromuscular block for an average 100 min and 160 min, respectively. Maintenance, 0.005 mg/kg and 0.01 mg/kg IV to provide neuromuscular blockage for an average of 30 min and 45 min, respectively.
Endotracheal intubation: 0.05 mg/kg IV. Endotracheal intubation: (with succinylcholine) initial, 0.025 mg/kg IV.

[ Supplied: 1 mg/ml Solution]

Mivacurium  (mivacron ® ) 

Short-acting arizing neuromuscular blocking agent.
Dosing (Adults)
Endotracheal intubation: 0.15 mg/kg IV bolus. For extended neuromuscular block, IV average infusion rates of 6 to 7 mcg/kg/min are used. Recovery from muscular paralysis occurs within 15 to 30 minutes.

Pancuronium  (pavulon ® ) 

Non-depolarizing skeletal muscle blocker--competes with acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.
Dosing (Adults)
Intermittent dosing: 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg (usually 0.1) every 1 to 3 hours (range: 0.04 to 0.2 mg/kg).
Continuous infusion: Loading dose: 0.04 to 0.10 mg/kg , followed by 1 to 1.7 mcg/kg/min or 0.06 to 0.1 mg/kg/hr

Rocuronium  (zemuron ® ) 

Dosing (Adults)  (usual): Intubation(rapid sequence intubation): initial, 0.6-1.2 mg/kg IV. tracheal intubation: initial, 0.6 mg/kg IV. Maintenance, 0.1-0.2 mg/kg IV repeated as needed.
Maintenance (continuous IV infusion)
: 0.01-0.012 mg/kg/minute.
Skeletal muscle relaxation: initial, 0.6 mg/kg IV. Maintenance: 0.1-0.2 mg/kg IV repeated as needed. Alternatively: maintenance (continuous IV infusion): 0.01-0.012 mg/kg/minute

Succinylcholine  

Depolarizing skeletal muscle blocker. Indications: procedures of short duration such as endotracheal intubation.
Dosing (Adults)
:
Intermittent
: 0.6 mg/kg (0.3 to 1.1) over 10-30 seconds, up to 150mg total dose. Maintenance: 0.04 to 0.07 mg/kg every 5-10 minutes as needed.
Continuous infusion: 2.5 mg/min (0.5 to 10 mg/min).
D Dilute to 1-2 mg/ml.

Vecuronium  (norcuron ® ) 

Dosing (Adults)
Intermittent dosing: initially 0.08 to 0.1 mg/kg IBW IV bolus. (Higher initial doses-up to 0.3 mg/kg-may be used for rapid onset. Maintenance: 0.01 to 0.015 mg/kg every 25 to 45 minutes as needed.

Continuous infusion: initial IV bolus (0.08 to 0.3 mg/kg), followed by (after 20-40min), 1 mcg/kg/min infusion (usual range: 0.8 to 1.2 mcg/kg/min).

Dosage reductions are not req'd in renal failure.

Pharmacokinetic profiles 

 

Neuromuscular Blocking Agents

Agent Onset
 of action
Duration
 of action
ED90-95*
(mg/kg)
Short Acting
Mivacurium
(Mivacron)
2.5 min 15 - 20 min 0.07
Rapacuronium
(Raplon)
Mean: 90 seconds
(35 - 219 sec)
Mean: 15 min
(6 - 30 min)
1.03
Rocuronium
(Zemeron)
1 - 3 min 31 min
(15 - 85 min)
0.3
Succinylcholine 30 - 60 seconds 5 - 8 min 0.3
Intermediate acting
Atracurium
(Tracrium)
2.5 - 5 min 20 - 45 min 0.2
Cisatracurium
(Nimbex)
2 - 3 min 30 - 40 min 0.05
Pancuronium
(Pavulon)
2 - 3 min 60 - 90 min 0.06
Vecuronium
(Norcuron)
2 - 3 min 25 - 40 min 0.05
Long Acting
Doxacurium
(Nuromax)
6 min
(2.5 - 13)
100 min
(39 - 232)
0.025
Pipecuronium
(Arduan)
2.5 - 5 min 75 min
(35 - 175)
0.07
Tubocurarine 3 - 5 min 70 - 90 min 0.05

ED90-95  = Dose required to produce 90-95% suppression of muscle response

Bridion®- sugammadex sodium injection 

Drug UPDATES:  BRIDION®- sugammadex sodium injection
[Dosing information  /  PDF]   led Click link for the latest monograph
Dosing:  Click (+) next to Dosage and Administration section

Initial U.S. Approval:  2015
Mechanism of Action
BRIDION is a modified gamma cyclodextrin. It forms a complex with the neuromuscular blocking agents rocuronium and vecuronium, and it reduces the amount of neuromuscular blocking agent available to bind to nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the neuromuscular junction. This results in the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium and vecuronium.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE: BRIDION is indicated for the reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium bromide and vecuronium bromide in adults undergoing surgery.

HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING:
BRIDION (sugammadex) injection is a clear, colorless to slightly yellow-brown, non-pyrogenic aqueous solution intended for intravenous infusion. BRIDION is available in the following presentations:

BRIDION 2-mL single-dose vials containing 200 mg sugammadex (100 mg/mL)
Box of 10 NDC 0006-5423-12
BRIDION 5-mL single-dose vials containing 500 mg sugammadex (100 mg/mL)
Box of 10 NDC 0006-5423-15

The packaging of this product is not made with natural rubber latex.
Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) (see USP Controlled Room Temperature). Protect from light. When not protected from light, the vial should be used within 5 days.

Reference(s)

National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed Database.
Provides access to the latest drug monographs submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please review the latest applicable package insert for additional information and possible updates.  A local search option of this data can be found here.

Neuromuscular blocking agents

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