Rocuronium

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Image:Rocuronium structure.png
Rocuronium
Systematic (IUPAC) name
[3-hydroxy-10,13-dimethyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-16- (1-prop-2-enyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyrrol- 1-yl)- 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17- tetradecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a] phenanthren- 17-yl] acetate
Identifiers
CAS number	119302-91-9
ATC code	M03AC09
PubChem	441290
DrugBank	APRD01221
Chemical data
Formula	C₃₂H₅₃N₂O₄⁺
Mol. mass	529.774 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	NA
Protein binding	~30%
Metabolism	some de-acetylation
Half life	66–80 minutes
Excretion	Unchanged, in bile and urine
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status	POM(UK)
Routes	Intravenous

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 ® in the United States and Esmeron ® 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.