Rapacuronium injection

What is rapacuronium injection?

RAPACURONIUM (Raplon®) 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 rapacuronium?

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

• asthma or breathing difficulties

• 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 rapacuronium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Rapacuronium is for injection or infusion into a vein. It is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or 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?

Rapacuronium is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

What drug(s) may interact with rapacuronium?

• 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 rapacuronium?

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

What side effects may I notice from receiving rapacuronium?

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?

Rapacuronium is given only by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.