Indications: muscle relaxation (short to intermediate duration) for surgery or during intensive care.

neuromuscular blocking agents. Activity is prolonged in patients with myasthenia gravis and in hypothermia, therefore lower doses are required.

Side Effects: are associated with histamine release which can cause skin flushing, hypotension, tachycardia, bronchospasm and rarely, anaphylactoid reactions.

Drug Interactions: inactivated by thiopental and other alkaline solutions.

Dose: by IV injection, initially 300-600 mcg/kg, then 100-200 mcg/kg, repeated as required.

By IV infusion, 5-10 mcg/kg/minute.