Vecuronium

Pronunciation: ve-KYOO-roe-ni-um
Generic Name: Vecuronium
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.

This medication should only be given by doctors who are experienced in the use of this medication. Proper life support equipment and personnel should be available in case of an emergency.

Vecuronium is used for:

Relaxing muscles during surgery and mechanical breathing.

Vecuronium is a neuromuscular blocking agent. It works by blocking nerve transmissions in muscle nerves, which results in muscle relaxation and paralysis.

Do NOT use Vecuronium if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Vecuronium


• you have diarrhea due to poisoning or pseudomembranous colitis


• you are taking quinine or quinidine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Vecuronium:

Some medical conditions may interact with Vecuronium. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of asthma, an enlarged prostate, trouble urinating, circulation problems, electrolyte problems, a blockage of your bladder, irregular heartbeat or other heart problems, liver or kidney problems, adrenal gland problems, underactive thyroid, lung problems (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], cor pulmonale), myasthenia gravis or Eaton-Lambert syndrome, mood or mental problems, suicidal thoughts or behaviors, serious head injury, increased pressure in the brain, unusual growths in the brain, seizures, or severe inflammatory bowel disease


• if you have a history of substance abuse or you are having stomach or intestinal surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Vecuronium. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), clindamycin, cyclosporine, inhalation anesthetics (eg, enflurane), lincomycin, magnesium salts, polypeptide antibiotics (eg, bacitracin), quinidine, quinine, trimethaphan, or verapamil because the side effects of Vecuronium may be increased


• Carbamazepine, hydantoins, other nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers (eg, pancuronium), tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), theophyllines, or thiopurines because the effectiveness of Vecuronium may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Vecuronium may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Vecuronium:

Use Vecuronium as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Vecuronium is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic.


• If Vecuronium contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use.


• If you miss a dose of Vecuronium, contact your doctor right away.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Vecuronium.

Important safety information:

• Vecuronium may cause a change in circulation time for patients with heart problems or increased age.


• Patients with severe obesity or neuromuscular disease may have airway and/or breathing problems requiring special care before, during, and after the use of neuromuscular blocking agents such as vecuronium.


• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a potentially deadly syndrome associated with Vecuronium. Symptoms may include increased body heat; rigid muscles; altered mental abilities, including lack of response to your surroundings; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if any of these symptoms occur.


• Use Vecuronium with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Vecuronium contains benzyl alcohol, a preservative. Do not use Vecuronium in NEWBORNS because serious and sometimes fatal nervous system problems and other side effects may occur.


• Use Vecuronium with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 7 weeks of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Vecuronium during pregnancy. It is unknown if Vecuronium is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Vecuronium, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Vecuronium:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. When used in small doses, no COMMON side effects have been reported with this product. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dizziness; fever; prolonged muscle weakness; unusually fast or slow heart rate.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Vecuronium side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing; muscle weakness.

Proper storage of Vecuronium:

Vecuronium is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Vecuronium at home, store Vecuronium as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Vecuronium, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Vecuronium is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Vecuronium. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Vecuronium resources

• Vecuronium Side Effects (in more detail)
• Vecuronium Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Vecuronium Drug Interactions
• Vecuronium Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Vecuronium - Add your own review/rating

• Vecuronium Prescribing Information (FDA)


• vecuronium Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Norcuron Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Vecuronium Bromide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

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