title: Comparison of cumulative and single bolus dose techniques for determining the potency of vecuronium.
abstract: The potency of vecuronium was determined using single bolus dose administrations of 10-50 micrograms kg-1 in 28 patients anaesthetized with thiopentone, nitrous oxide, oxygen and fentanyl. The results were compared with those previously obtained using a cumulative dose technique in a comparable group of 10 patients. The 50% and 95% blocking doses (ED50 and ED95) of vecuronium were found to be 23.1 and 39.6 micrograms kg-1, respectively. These were significantly lower than the 30.5 and 56.7 micrograms kg-1 obtained previously using the cumulative dose technique. We recommend the use of single bolus dose method of determining potency for relatively shorter-acting drugs like vecuronium.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Mirakhur
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Lavery
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010197:Pancuronium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide
chemical_list: D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D010197:Pancuronium