DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Pancuronium

March 21, 2017

Pancuronium injection

What is pancuronium injection?

PANCURONIUM (PavulonĀ®) is a muscle relaxant. It relaxes muscles during surgery or before investigational procedures. Generic pancuronium injections are available.

What should my health care professional know before I receive pancuronium?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • asthma or breathing difficulties

  • dehydration

  • heart disease

  • kidney disease

  • lung disease

  • muscle weakness

  • other chronic illness

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to pancuronium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Pancuronium is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What drug(s) may interact with pancuronium?

  • calcium salts

  • capreomycin

  • certain antibiotics given by injection

  • edrophonium

  • heart medicine such as digoxin

  • magnesium salts

  • medicines for pain

  • medicines to control heart rhythm

  • neostigmine, or pyridostigmine

  • polymyxin B

  • procaine

  • propranolol

  • water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking pancuronium?

You will be carefully monitored for side effects while you receive pancuronium, and for some time afterwards.

What side effects may I notice from receiving pancuronium?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • chest pain

  • fever

  • pain, redness, swelling or irritation at the injection site

  • shortness of breath, wheezing

  • unusual muscle weakness or tiredness

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

  • flushing (reddening of skin)

  • rash, itching

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of reach of children.

Store in a refrigerator between 2 and 8 degrees C (36 and 46 degrees F). Do not freeze. Throw away any unused injection solution.

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert