Rocuronium

Rocuronium is an aminosteroid non-depolarizing (that is, it does not cause initial stimulation of muscles before weakening them) neuromuscular blocker or muscle relaxant used in modern anaesthesia, to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.

It is a more recent member of a family of similar drugs. It has rapid onset, and intermediate duration of action. It is marketed under the trade name of Zemuron &reg; in the United States and Esmeron &reg; in most other countries.

There is considered to be some risk of allergic reaction to the drug in occasional patients, but, a similar incidence of allergic reactions has been observed by using other members of the drug class (non-depolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs). The drug is commonly used in modern anaesthesia.

The γ-cyclodextrin derivative sugammadex has been recently introduced as a novel agent to reverse the action of rocuronium.

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