Pancuronium Injection

What is this medication?

PANCURONIUM (pan kyur OH nee uhm) 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.

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
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma or COPD
• Myasthenia gravis
• An unusual or allergic reaction to pancuronium, 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. 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?

• Certain antibiotics, such as amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, tetracycline, clindamycin, vancomycin, colistin
• Certain medications for seizures, such as carbamazepine or phenytoin
• 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.

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
• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• High fever, excessive sweating, fast or shallow breathing, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness or spasms
• Increase in blood pressure

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

• 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.