Vecuronium injection

What is this medication?

VECURONIUM (VEK ue ROE nee um) is a skeletal muscle relaxant. It is used to relax muscles during surgery or while on a breathing machine.

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

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Norcuron

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

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

• dehydration
• heart disease
• high levels of calcium, magnesium in the blood
• kidney disease
• large areas of burned or damaged skin
• liver disease
• low levels of calcium, potassium in the blood
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• myasthenia gravis
• an unusual or allergic reaction to vecuronium, bromide, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 7 weeks 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. This medicine is not for regular use.

What may interact with this medication?

This medicine may interact with the following medications:

• certain antibiotics like gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin, tetracyclines, bacitracin, polymyxin B, colistin, colistimethate
• general anesthetics like enflurane, isoflurane, halothane
• magnesium
• other medicines that relax muscles for surgery
• 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 medicine.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• eye irritation, itching
• facial flushing
• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired
• signs and symptoms of muscle injury like dark urine; trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine; unusually weak or tired; muscle pain; back pain

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

• muscle pain
• muscle weakness

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 medicine is given in a hospital or clinic and 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.