Suxa

Introduction
Suxa belongs to a group of medicines called muscle relaxants. It is used along with general anesthesia or sedatives to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgical procedures. It is also used to facilitate emergency airway management in patients in intensive care. Suxa is administered by a healthcare professional. You should not self-administer this medicine at home. The dose and duration will depend on what you are taking it for and how well it helps your symptoms. The most common side effects of this medicine include If any of these side effects persist or get worse, you should let your doctor know. Your doctor may be able to suggest ways of preventing or reducing the symptoms. Before using it, to make sure it is safe for you, you should let your doctor know if you have any other medical conditions or disorders. You should also tell your doctor all the other medicines you are using or taking. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctors before using this medicine.

Show less
Uses of Suxa
Skeletal mucle relaxation during surgery
Side effects of Suxa
Common
High blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Skin rash
Slow heart rate
How to use Suxa
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Suxa works
Suxa relaxes the muscles by blocking the impulses from the nerves.
Quick Tips
Tell your doctor before using suxamethonium if you have or had tetanus, tuberculosis, other severe or long standing infection or illness, cancer, anemia, malnutrition, liver or kidney problems, auto-immune diseases (multiple sclerosis), an underactive thyroid gland (myxoedema), muscle disease (such as myasthenia gravis), a blood transfusion or a heart-lung by pass, been in contact with insecticides, allergic reaction to any muscle relaxant given as part of an operation.
Suxamethonium paralyses the respiratory muscles as well as other skeletal muscles but has no effect on consciousness.
You may experience some muscle pain after suxamethonium administration if you have undergone short surgical procedure under general anaesthesia.
Do not drive or use machinery too soon after having an operation.
Tell your doctor if you are or planning to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Brief Description
Indication
Muscle relaxant
Administration
Reconstitution: IV infusion: Suxamethonium Cl 1 g powd for inj or 20 mL of a soln containing 50 mg/mL may be added to 1,000 mL or 500 mL of diluent (e.g. dextrose 5%, dextrose 5% and NaCl 0.9%, NaCl 0.9%, or (1/6) M Na lactate inj) to provide a soln containing 1 mg/mL (0.1%) or 2 mg/mL (0.2%), respectively. Alternatively, suxamethonium Cl 500 mg powd for inj or 10 mL of a soln containing 50 mg/mL may be added to 500 mL or 250 mL of diluents to provide a soln containing 1 mg/mL (0.1%) or 2 mg/mL (0.2%), respectively.
Adult Dose
Intravenous Muscle relaxant in general anaesthesia Adult: As suxamethonium Cl: Single dose of 0.3-1.1 mg/kg by inj. Supplementary doses of 50-100% of the initial dose may be given at 5-10 min intervals. For prolonged procedures, 0.1-0.2% soln by infusion at 2.5-4 mg/min, adjusted as necessary. Max (repeated inj or continuous infusion): 500 mg/hr. Intramuscular Muscle relaxant in general anaesthesia Adult: As suxamethonium Cl: 3-4 mg/kg. Max: 150 mg.

Show less
Child Dose
Intravenous Muscle relaxant in general anaesthesia Child: As suxamethonium Cl: <1 yr 2 mg/kg; 1-12 yr 1 mg/kg. Intramuscular Muscle relaxant in general anaesthesia Child: As suxamethonium Cl: <1 yr Up to 5 mg/kg; >1 yr Up to 4 mg/kg. Max: 150 mg.

Show less
Contraindication
Genetic disorders of plasma pseudocholinesterase, personal/family history of malignant hyperthermia, hypersensitivity from previous neuromuscular drug, severe burns, massive trauma, extensive denervation of skeletal muscle, patients with risk of hyperkalaemia, renal impairment, angle closure glaucoma.
Mode of Action
Suxamethonium chloride is an ultrashort-acting depolarising type skeletal muscle relaxant. It blocks the neuromuscular junction by binding to the cholinergic receptors and depolarising it.
Precaution
Hypersensitivity to any neuromuscular blocker. Patient w/ reduced plasma cholinesterase activity, bone fractures, neuromuscular disorders, cardiac or resp disease, electrolyte imbalance, suspected cardiac glycoside toxicity. Childn. Pregnancy and lactation. Monitoring Parameters Monitor cardiac function and oxygenation during admin; temp, serum K and Ca, assisted ventilator status; neuromuscular function w/ peripheral nerve stimulator.
Side Effect
Prolonged resp depression or apnoea, bradycardia, tachycardia, hypotension, HTN, raised intraocular pressure, hyperkalaemia, muscle fasciculation, excessive salivation, jaw rigidity, rash. Potentially Fatal: Anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions, acute rhabdomyolysis w/ hyperkalaemia followed by ventricular dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest, malignant hyperthermia.

Show less
Interaction
Prolonged neuromuscular blocking effects w/ specific anticholinesterase agents (e.g. neostigmine), cytotoxic compd (e.g. cyclophosphamide), antiarrhythmics (e.g. quinidine), aminoglycosides, psychiatric drugs (e.g. chlorpromazine), Mg salts, anaesth agents (e.g. morphine), SSRIs, organophosphate insecticides. Increased susceptibility to the effects of suxamethonium-exacerbated hyperkalaemia w/ digitalis-like drugs.