A preliminary assessment of atracurium, a new competitive neuromuscular blocking agent.
Atracurium besylate, 2,2'-(3,11-dioxo-4,10-dioxatridecylene)-bis-[6,7-dimethoxy-1-(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-methyl 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolinium] dibenzenesulphonate is a potent non-depolarising (competitive) neuromuscular blocking agent in the cat, monkey, dog and anaesthetized man. In man, it caused complete paralysis of the tetanic response of the adductor pollicis muscles at doses of 0.2 mg/kg. Blockade was of medium duration with rapid spontaneous recovery, and was readily reversed by neostigmine. The electrocardiogram, heart rate, arterial blood pressure and central venous pressure were virtually unchanged following doses of 0.2-0.4 mg/kg. Intubation was readily accomplished in 1.5-2 min after administration of 0.25-0.3 mg/kg.
D000818:Animals; D001279:Atracurium; D001340:Autonomic Nerve Block; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007546:Isoquinolines; D009466:Neuromuscular Blocking Agents; D001279:Atracurium