DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Succinylcholine (suk-sin-il-KOE-leen)
Brand Name: Anectine and Quelicin

Anectine has been associated with rapid muscle breakdown resulting in life-threatening heart rhythms, cardiac arrest, and death in children. Male children younger than 8 years of age seem to be at a higher risk, but cases have also been reported in adolescents. Because it is hard to determine which children may be at risk, Anectine should only be used in an emergency situation.

Anectine is used for:

Relaxing muscles during surgery or when using a breathing machine (ventilator). It is also used to induce anesthesia or when a tube must be inserted in the windpipe. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Anectine is a depolarizing muscle relaxant. It works by keeping muscles from contracting, which causes paralysis of the muscles in the face and those used to breathe and move.

Do NOT use Anectine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Anectine
• you have recently had a severe burn, trauma, nerve damage, or upper body movement injury
• you have or have a family history of muscle disease or malignant hyperthermia (a life-threatening state that includes high body temperatures)

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Anectine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Anectine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have glaucoma, an electrolyte imbalance, liver problems, plasma cholinesterase deficiency, a bone fracture, muscle spasms, or a genetic condition
• if you have high levels of potassium or low levels of calcium or potassium in the blood
• if you are dehydrated or have recently had eye surgery or an eye injury
• if you have or have a history of stomach infections or bleeding in the brain

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Anectine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Digoxin because the risk of abnormal heart rhythms may be increased
• Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), beta-adrenergic blockers (eg, propranolol), chloroquine, clindamycin, cyclophosphamide, glucocorticoids (eg, prednisone), lithium, magnesium salts, metoclopramide, oxytocin, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), procainamide, quinidine, quinine, terbutaline, or trimethaphan because the effects of Anectine may be decreased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Anectine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Anectine :

Use Anectine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Anectine is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Anectine at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Anectine contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Anectine , contact your doctor immediately.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Anectine .

Important safety information:

• Anectine should only be used in CHILDREN in emergency situations. Rare serious side effects have occurred in children who have received Anectine .
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Anectine during pregnancy. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Anectine , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Anectine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Increased saliva; muscle pain following surgery; muscle twitching.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fast breathing; fast or slow heartbeat; high body temperature; increased pressure in the eye; pauses in breathing; pounding in the chest; slowed breathing; tightening of jaw or other muscles.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include muscle weakness; slowed breathing or pauses in breathing.

Proper storage of Anectine :

Anectine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Anectine at home, store Anectine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Anectine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Anectine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Anectine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about this medicine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.