Pipecuronium
Pipecuronium injection
What is pipecuronium injection?
PIPECURONIUM (RaplonĀ®) is a muscle relaxant. It relaxes muscles in patients who are having surgery or in patients who are on breathing machines (ventilators).
NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.
What should my health care professional know before I receive pipecuronium?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
dehydration
fever
heart disease
kidney disease
liver disease
lung disease
muscle weakness
history of malignant hyperthermia during prior surgery
neuromuscular disorder such as myasthenia gravis
other chronic illness
an unusual or allergic reaction to pipecuronium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Pipecuronium is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or surgical clinic setting.
Contact your health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
Pipecuronium is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or surgical clinic setting.
What drug(s) may interact with pipecuronium?
anesthetics
amphotericin B
certain antibiotics (tetracyclines, clindamycin, vancomycin, polymyxin B, bacitracin)
cisplatin
corticosteroids (example: prednisone)
edrophonium or neostigmine
lithium
magnesium or calcium salts
medicines for angina or high blood pressure
medicines for pain
medicines to control heart rhythm (such as lidocaine, procainamide, quinidine)
medicines to control seizures (such as phenytoin or carbamazepine)
succinylcholine or other muscle relaxants
water pills (diuretics)
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 pipecuronium?
You will be carefully monitored for side effects while you receive pipecuronium, and for some time afterwards.
What side effects may I notice from receiving pipecuronium?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
difficulty breathing or wheezing
fainting, dizziness or lightheadedness
fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
fever
pain, redness, swelling or irritation at the injection site
skin rash, hives or other unusual reaction
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)
nausea or vomiting
Where can I keep my medicine?
Pipecuronium is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or surgical clinic setting.
Updated:  
March 21, 2017
Sources:  
U.S. FDA-approved Package Insert