Succinylcholine Injection

What is this medication?

SUCCINYLCHOLINE (suhk suh nuhl KOW leen) is used to relax muscles during a procedure. It works by blocking nerves signals that tell your muscles to move. This stops your muscles from sudden movement and helps your care team perform the procedure safely.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Anectine, Quelicin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Dehydration
• Glaucoma
• Head injury
• Heart disease
• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma or COPD
• Muscle disease, such as myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy
• Pseudocholinesterase deficiency
• Severe injury to your body from trauma, such as a car accident or burn
• Stomach ulcers, other stomach or intestine problems
• Thyroid disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to succinylcholine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein or muscle. It is given by your care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be given to children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Physostigmine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Certain antibiotics, such as amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, vancomycin, colistin
• Estrogen and progestin hormones
• Lithium
• Local anesthetics, such as lidocaine
• Magnesium supplements
• Procainamide
• Quinidine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medication.

This medication has caused severe and sometimes deadly heart problems in infants, children, and teens. These children had a hidden muscle condition. They did not have signs and symptoms of the condition yet. Muscle problems increase the risk of serious side effects with this medication. If a child needs this medication, their care team will watch them closely to make sure they are safe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
• High fever, excessive sweating, fast or shallow breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness or spasms
• High potassium level—muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat
• Increased pressure around the brain—severe headache, blurry vision, change in vision, nausea, vomiting
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Muscle injury—unusual weakness or fatigue, muscle pain, dark yellow or brown urine, decrease in amount of urine
• Slow heartbeat—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, confusion, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Sudden eye pain or change in vision such as blurry vision, seeing halos around lights, vision loss

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Flushing
• Muscle pain or cramps
• Muscle weakness
• Pain, redness, or irritation at injection site

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.