It can also be viewed as a central moiety of succinic acid with two choline moieties, one on each end. History
Suxamethonium was first discovered in 1906 by Reid Hunt and René de M. Taveau. When studying the drug, animals were given curare and thus they missed the neuromuscular blocking properties of suxamethonium. Instead in 1949 an Italian group led by Daniel Bovet was first to describe succinylcholine induced paralysis. The clinical introduction of suxamethonium was described in 1951 by several groups. Papers published by Stephen Thesleff and Otto von Dardel in Sweden are important but also to be mentioned is work by Bruck, Mayrhofer and Hassfurther in Austria, Scurr and Bourne in UK, and Foldes in America. Abuse
Dubai authorities deem that the murder of Hamas operative Mahmoud al-Mabhouh was carried out on their soil by Mossad agents with the use of suxamethonium chloride injection. Entering Dubai under false passports in 2010, the Mossad agents found al-Mabhouh at a hotel, immobilized him with the drug, electrocuted him, then suffocated him by pillow in an assassination. A high concentration of suxamethonium chloride was found in al-Mabhouhs body post-mortem. The incident triggered significant diplomatic crises in the Middle East, Europe, and Australia.It was used by serial killer Efren Saldivar (1988-1998), and in the murder of Kathy Augustine (2006). Brand names
It is available in German-speaking countries under the trade name Lysthenon among others. Other animals
It is sometimes used in combination with pain medications and sedatives for euthanasia and immobilization of horses. References
External links
"Suxamethonium Chloride". Drug Information Portal.
Suxamethonium chloride, also known as suxamethonium or succinylcholine, or simply sux by medical abbreviation, is a medication used to cause short-term paralysis as part of general anesthesia. This is done to help with tracheal intubation or electroconvulsive therapy. It is administered by injection, either into a vein or into a muscle. When used in a vein, onset of action is generally within one minute and effects last for up to 10 minutes.Common side effects include low blood pressure, increased saliva production, muscle pain, and rash. Serious side effects include malignant hyperthermia and allergic reactions. It is not recommended in people who are at risk of high blood potassium or a history of myopathy. Use during pregnancy appears to be safe for the baby. Suxamethonium is in the neuromuscular blocker family of medications and is of the depolarizing type. It works by blocking the action of acetylcholine on skeletal muscles. Side effects of succinylcholine chloride injection include anaphylaxis, hyperkalemia, and malignant hyperthermia.Suxamethonium was described as early as 1906 and came into medical use in 1951. It is on the World Health Organizations List of Essential Medicines. Suxamethonium is available as a generic medication. It may colloquially be referred to as "sux". Medical uses
Succinylcholine chloride injection is indicated, in addition to general anesthesia, to facilitate tracheal intubation and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery or mechanical ventilation.Its medical uses are limited to short-term muscle relaxation in anesthesia and intensive care, usually for facilitation of endotracheal intubation.