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Tubocurarine
Pronunciation
Generic Available
Synonyms
Pharmacological Index
Use
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Stability
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Administration
Monitoring Parameters
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms

Pronunciation
(too boe kyoor AR een)

Generic Available

No


Synonyms
d-Tubocurarine Chloride; Tubocurarine Chloride

Pharmacological Index

Neuromuscular Blocker Agent, Nondepolarizing


Use

Adjunct to anesthesia to induce skeletal muscle relaxation


Pregnancy Risk Factor

C


Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to tubocurarine or any component; patients in whom histamine release is a definite hazard


Warnings/Precautions

Use with caution in patients with renal impairment, respiratory depression, impaired hepatic or endocrine function, myasthenia gravis, and the elderly; ventilation must be supported during neuromuscular blockade; rapid administration may cause histamine release resulting in respiratory depression and bronchospasm


Adverse Reactions

1% to 10%: Cardiovascular: Hypotension

<1%: Edema, circulatory collapse, cardiac arrhythmias, increased heart rate or bradycardia, skin flushing, rash, itching, erythema, increased salivation, decreased GI motility, bronchospasm, hypersensitivity reactions, allergic reactions


Overdosage/Toxicology

Symptoms of overdose include prolonged skeletal muscle weakness and apnea, cardiovascular collapse

Use neostigmine, edrophonium or pyridostigmine with atropine to antagonize skeletal muscle relaxation; support of ventilation and the cardiovascular system through mechanical means, fluids, and pressors may be necessary.


Drug Interactions

Increased effect/toxicity with aminoglycosides, ketamine, magnesium sulfate, verapamil, quinidine, clindamycin, furosemide


Stability

Refrigerate; incompatible with barbiturates


Mechanism of Action

Blocks acetylcholine from binding to receptors on motor endplate inhibiting depolarization


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Elimination: ~33% to 75% of parenteral dose is excreted unchanged in urine in 24 hours; ~10% excreted in bile


Usual Dosage

I.V.:

Alternative adult dose: 6-9 mg once daily, then 3-4.5 mg as needed to maintain paralysis

Dosing adjustment/comments in renal impairment: May accumulate with multiple doses and reductions in subsequent doses is recommended

Clcr 50-80 mL/minute: Administer 75% of normal dose

Clcr 10-50 mL/minute: Administer 50% of normal dose

Clcr <10 mL/minute: Avoid use

Dosing comments in hepatic impairment: Larger doses may be necessary


Administration

May also give I.M.; administer I.V. undiluted over 60-90 seconds and flush I.V. cannula with NS or D5W


Monitoring Parameters

Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, respiratory status, serum potassium


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

None reported


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

None reported


Nursing Implications

Parenteral: May infuse direct I.V. without further dilution over a period of 1-11/2 minutes


Dosage Forms

Injection, as chloride: 3 mg/mL [3 units/mL] (5 mL, 10 mL, 20 mL)


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