title: Onset time and duration of action for atracurium, Org NC45 and pancuronium.
abstract: Speed of onset, maximum block, duration of action and 10-25% recovery time for atracurium, Org NC 45 and pancuronium were determined using equipotent doses: 330 micrograms kg-1, 66 micrograms kg-1 and 75 micrograms kg-1 respectively. Vein-to-muscle and artery-to-muscle onset times were measured by use of simultaneous recordings. Mean speeds of onset to 95% twitch depression were: atracurium 2.7 min, Org NC 45 2.8 min and pancuronium 3.6 min. The median value of maximum neuromuscular block exceeded 98.5% for all drugs and the mean durations of action to 25% recovery of control twitch height were: atracurium 27.6 min, Org NC 45 21.9 min and pancuronium 45.1 min. The differences were statistically significant. The recovery period from 10% to 25% twitch response was considerably longer for pancuronium than for the other drugs, which did not differ significantly from each other. We were unable to validate the artery-to-muscle technique in the determination of onset time.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D001279:Atracurium; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009132:Muscles / Q000098:blood supply; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010197:Pancuronium / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D007546:Isoquinolines; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D001279:Atracurium; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D010197:Pancuronium