Sugammadex is used for reversal of the amino steroid neuromuscular blocking drugs rocuronium, vecuronium and pancuronium. It does not work on non-amino steroid neuromuscular blocking drugs (atracurium, cisatracurium and suxamethonium).
Sugammadex can be titrated in theatre with the use of TOF but this post will focus on the emergency reversal in the emergency department.
Administration
Immediate reversal of neuromuscular blockade by rocuronium, vecuronium and pancuronium:
- Undiluted intravenous bolus, 16 mg/kg given within 10 seconds
- Compatible fluids: Glucose 5%, sodium chloride 0.9%, Hartmann’s, Gelofusin.
Sugammadex dosing per weight
Therapeutic endpoints:
- Onset approximately 1-3 minutes
- Elderly 65-74 years old: median time to recovery 2.6 minutes
- Very Elderly >75: median time to recovery 3.6 minutes
Adverse reactions:
- Hypo/hypertension, tachycardia, hypoxia
- Hypersensitivity
- Nausea, vomiting
- Prolonged QT (rare)
- Prolonged neuromuscular blockade
- Metallic, bitter taste
Length of action
Rocuronium will not be effective for:
- 6 hours post administration in patients with a normal renal function
- 12 hours CrCl 50-80mL/min
- 18 hours CrCl 30-50mL/min
Toxicology Library
Antidote
Dr Neil Long BMBS FACEM FRCEM FRCPC. Emergency Physician at Burnaby Hospital in Vancouver Emergency. Loves the misery of alpine climbing and working in austere environments. Supporter of FOAMed, toxicology, tropical medicine, sim and ultrasound