Succinylcholine Chloride (sux-i-nil-KOE-leen KLOR-ide)

Relaxes muscles during surgery or other medical procedures.

Brand Name(s):

Anectine, Anectine Novaplus, Quelicin

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is usually given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how succinylcholine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Aprotinin, chloroquine, digoxin, echothiophate, lithium carbonate, magnesium salts, metoclopramide, oxytocin, procainamide, promazine, quinidine, quinine, terbutaline, trimethaphan
  • Birth control pills
  • MAO inhibitors
  • Medicine to treat infection (including aminoglycoside)
  • Steroid medicine

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, glaucoma, overactive thyroid, anemia, lung cancer, bleeding problems, stomach infection, or nerve problems. Tell your doctor if you have recently had a serious injury, burn, or broken bone.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Heart rhythm problems
  • Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood)
  • Malignant hyperthermia (high body temperature)
  • Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Blurred vision, dizziness, headache, slow or fast heartbeat
• Confusion, weakness, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
• Fainting, lightheadedness
• Fever, chills, cough, muscle stiffness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088