title: The pharmacokinetics of rocuronium bromide in hepatic cirrhosis.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of aminosteroid neuromuscular blocking drugs have been shown to be altered in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. A reduced clearance and prolonged elimination half-life of pancuronium and vecuronium have been demonstrated. Pharmacokinetic studies of the newest aminosteroid neuromuscular blocking agent, rocuronium, performed in a small number of cirrhotic patients, have proved inconclusive, apart from noting a higher central volume of distribution than in healthy patients. This difference may result in a slightly delayed onset of neuromuscular block. Nevertheless, rocuronium, even in cirrhotic patients, has the fastest onset of action of any non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent. Further pharmacokinetic studies are necessary of this drug in hepatic cirrhosis.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000732:Androstanols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D000077123:Rocuronium; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D000732:Androstanols; D003473:Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; D014673:Vecuronium Bromide; D000077123:Rocuronium