In vivo potentiation of atracurium neuromuscular blockade by nimodipine in rabbits.
The interaction between nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker, used for the treatment of subarachnoid haemorrhage, and atracurium, was studied in rabbits. An intravenous dose of 0.1 mg.kg-1 of nimodipine given over 3 min caused a potentiation of the neuromuscular blocking action of atracurium (administered at an infusion rate of 7.5 micrograms.kg-1.min-1), measured on the indirectly stimulated tibialis-anterior muscle of the animal. (ED50)inf and (ED95)inf were significantly reduced (30.7% and 23.3%) in nimodipine-treated animals (P less than 0.05 and P less than 0.02, respectively). No changes were observed in recovery rate.
Gómez-Iglesias
E
E
Department of Pharmacology, University of Basque Country, Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain.
García
E
E
Suarez
E
E
Martínez
R
R
Rodríguez-Sasiaín
J M
JM
Calvo
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001279:Atracurium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004357:Drug Synergism; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000187:drug effects; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D001279:Atracurium; D009553:Nimodipine