What is succinylcholine chloride used for?

It is used to relax muscles during surgery or to help a doctor insert a breathing tube.

Can succinylcholine cause breathing problems?

Yes, succinylcholine causes temporary muscle paralysis, which can stop breathing and requires medical supervision and breathing support.

Is succinylcholine safe for children?

It is used in children but should be reserved for emergencies like difficulty breathing because it carries a risk of heart arrest in some cases.

What is the risk of malignant hyperthermia with succinylcholine?

Some people may have a genetic sensitivity that causes a dangerous rise in body temperature when using this drug.

Can succinylcholine affect my heart?

Yes, it can cause a slow heart rate, fast heart rate, or serious heart rhythms due to changes in potassium levels.

Is succinylcholine safe to use during pregnancy?

Current data suggests it does not cause major birth defects, though it may cause temporary breathing pauses during labor.

What should happen if an overdose of succinylcholine occurs?

The priority is to keep the airway open and provide breathing assistance until the patient recovers.

Does succinylcholine interact with other medications?

Yes, it can interact with many drugs, including certain antibiotics, anesthetics, and magnesium salts.

Succinylcholine Chloride | CAS 71-27-2 | YOEWQQVKRJEPAE

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Neuromuscular Blocking Agent

Succinylcholine Chloride is a fast-acting medication used by doctors to temporarily relax muscles during surgery or to help insert a breathing tube. It works by blocking the signals that tell muscles to move. Because it can cause serious side effects like breathing problems or heart issues, it is only given by trained medical professionals in controlled settings.

How it worksThis drug acts as a 'depolarizing neuromuscular blocker.' It attaches to receptors on your muscles, causing them to twitch briefly and then become unable to contract, which allows for muscle relaxation during medical procedures.

Brand names:SUCCINYLCHOLINE CHLORIDE, QUELICIN, SUCOSTRIN, ANECTINE

Used for

Helping with general anesthesiaMaking it easier to insert a breathing tube (tracheal intubation)Relaxing skeletal muscles during surgery or when using a breathing machine

Conditions

Skeletal muscle contraction during surgeryRequirement for mechanical ventilation

Class

Neuromuscular BlockerDepolarizing AgentNeuromuscular Blocking AgentNervous systemMuscular systemCardiovascular system

How to take

FormsInjection

RoutesIntravenous (IV), Intramuscular (IM)

The dose must be customized for each patient by a doctor based on a careful assessment of their health needs.

This medication must only be used by doctors who are experts at managing artificial breathing and have equipment ready to help a patient breathe if needed. Accidental use of this drug can be fatal because it causes paralysis and stops breathing.

Key warnings

In children, succinylcholine can cause muscle breakdown and high potassium levels, which may lead to dangerous heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, and death, especially in children with undiagnosed muscle diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

·In children, succinylcholine can cause muscle breakdown and high potassium levels, which may lead to dangerous heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, and death, especially in children with undiagnosed muscle diseases like Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
·Risk of death from medication errors if the wrong drug is chosen.
·Risk of life-threatening allergic reactions.
·Risk of dangerous heart rhythms due to high potassium.
·Risk of malignant hyperthermia, especially in people with a genetic history of it.
·Risk of slow heart rate (bradycardia) when given through an IV.

Do not use if

·People with certain skeletal muscle diseases (myopathies)
·People with a known allergy to succinylcholine
·People recovering from major burns or severe physical trauma
·People with a known genetic risk for malignant hyperthermia

Side effects

Common

Excessive salivaIncreased eye pressureChanges in heart rate (fast or slow)High blood pressure or low blood pressure

Serious

·Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
·Dangerous heart rhythms or heart arrest
·Malignant hyperthermia (a life-threatening reaction involving high body temperature)
·High potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia)
·Muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis)
·Muscle weakness or inability to breathe

Seek help if

·Severe allergic reaction
·High fever
·Difficulty breathing
·Irregular heartbeat

Interactions

·Certain antibiotics
·Magnesium salts
·Muscle relaxants like Norcuron or Zemuron
·Drugs that affect cholinesterase levels (like oral contraceptives or certain MAOIs)
·Anesthetics like Isoflurane and Desflurane
·Other drugs like lidocaine, promazine, and lithium carbonate

Special populations

PregnancyThere is no evidence that succinylcholine causes major birth defects or miscarriage in humans. However, it can cause temporary breathing pauses in some pregnant women during delivery.

PediatricIt is safe and effective for children, but because of the risk of heart arrest from high potassium, it should only be used in emergencies, such as when a child's airway needs to be secured immediately.

GeriatricThere isn't enough data to know if elderly patients react differently than younger ones, but doctors should use caution and often start with lower doses due to changes in organ function.

Talk to your doctor

Monitor

·Breathing and oxygen levels
·Heart rate and rhythm
·Body temperature
·Potassium levels

Questions to ask

·Do I have any muscle diseases that make this drug unsafe?
·Is there a family history of malignant hyperthermia?
·How will my potassium levels be monitored?

Pharmacokinetics

OnsetRapid onset of paralysis, typically less than one minute after IV administration.

DurationApproximately 4 to 6 minutes with a single dose.

MetabolismRapidly broken down by plasma cholinesterase into succinylmonocholine and then into succinic acid and choline.

ExcretionAbout 10% of the drug is removed from the body through urine unchanged.

Practical

OverdoseAn overdose can cause muscles to stay paralyzed longer than intended, leading to weakness or the inability to breathe. The main treatment is keeping the airway open and providing breathing support.

Ingredients

Allergens

sulfite

Inactive

methylparabenpropylparabensodium chloridesodium hydroxidewater

Educational summary derived from FDA labeling, AI-assisted. Not medical advice — consult a healthcare professional. Updated 2026-04-25.